Figure 1

Enforced expression of KLF4 induces apoptosis and suppresses BCL2 in Jurkat cells. (a) Quantification of KLF4 mRNA levels in TRE-KLF4 Jurkat cells. The results were normalized to the GAPDH mRNA levels and are represented as the mean +/- SEM (n = 3). (b) Western blot analysis of KLF4, CASP3, and ACTIN protein levels in TRE-KLF4 Jurkat cells. (c) TRE-KLF4 Jurkat cell cultures with (black squares) or without (black diamonds) Dox treatment. TRE-empty Jurkat cell cultures with (grey triangles) Dox treatment. Data are represented as the mean +/- SEM (n = 3). (d) TRE-KLF4 Jurkat cells were treated (+Dox) or not (-Dox) with Dox. Z-VAD-FMK (I) and Dox were added at the same time (Dox + I). 48 hours later, cells were subjected to apoptosis assays. Top, representative of flow cytometry profiles of Jurkat cells in apoptosis assays. Bottom, summary of percentages of apoptotic cells (Annexin-V + 7-AAD+) from three independent apoptosis assays. Data are represented as the mean +/- SEM. **P ≤ 0.01 versus bar 1 (for bar 2), *** P ≤ 0.001 versus bar 1 (for bars 3 and 4). (e) Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the expression of selected genes in TRE-KLF4 cells. Data are shown as the mean +/- SEM. (f) Western blot analysis of the protein levels of selected apoptosis genes in TRE-KLF4 cells 48 hours post Dox treatment. (g) Jurkat cells were transfected with indicated lentiviruses. 48 hours later, GFP+ cells were subjected to apoptosis assays. Top, representative of flow cytometry profiles of Jurkat cells in apoptosis assays. Bottom, summary of percentages of apoptotic cells from three independent assays. Data are represented as the mean +/- SEM. For Annexin-V + 7-AAD+, ***P ≤ 0.001 versus bar 1 (for bars 2-4); For Annexin-V+, ***P ≤ 0.001 versus bar 1 (for bars 2-4).