Fig. 4

NUAK1 promotes ESCC cell migration and invasion via Slug-mediated EMT. A The effects of NUAK1 overexpression and knockdown on the morphological changes of ESCC cells were shown. B The effects of NUAK1 overexpression and knockdown on the protein levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin were measured by Western blotting. C The effects of NUAK1 overexpression on E-cadherin and Vimentin were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay. D Relative expressions of the indicated molecules were detected by Western blotting. E Western blot analyses of the levels of Slug, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin in NUAK1-overexpressing EC109 cells treated with Slug shRNA. F Transwell assay was used to detect the migration (left panel) and invasion (right panel) in NUAK1-overexpressing EC109 cells treated with Slug shRNA. G Western blot analyses of the levels of Slug, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin in NUAK1-knockdown KYSE30 cells treated with Slug and control plasmids. H Transwell assay was used to detect the migration (left panel) and invasion (right panel) in NUAK1-knockdown KYSE30 cells treated with Slug and control plasmids. P value was calculated by one-way ANOVA with post hoc intergroup comparison by the Tukey’s test. Error bars denote mean ± SD. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001