Figure 4

AMPKα contributes to ZnONPs-induced A549 cell death. (a) mTOR, p-mTOR, AMPKα, p-AMPKα and (b) p-AKT1, p-GSK3β expression levels in A549 cells treated with ZnONPs (30 μg/ml) were determined by western blot analysis at an indicated time. β-Actin served as a loading control. Images are representative of three independent experiments. (c) A549 cells was transfected with 75 nM control siRNA (si-Ctrl) or AMPKα siRNA (si-AMPKα) for 48 h. The efficiency of knockdown was detected by western blot analysis. β-Actin served as a loading control. Images are representative of three independent experiments. (d) MTS analysis was then performed to detect the cell viability of si-Ctrl- or si-AMPKα-treated cells at 24 h after treatment with 30 μg/ml ZnONPs. Data are representative of three independent experiments (n=6 for each group) and values are expressed as mean±S.E.M. **P<0.01