Fig. 5

Inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation affects the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. Oil red O staining, RNA and protein extraction were performed at D0, D3, D7 and D14 after induction. U0126 (100 μM), a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, was added at the overall phase, after treatment with 250 μM of AA2P (from D0 to D14), or at the early (form D3 to D14) or middle (form D7 to D14) stage of adipogenesis. a Oil red O staining; b The effect of U0126 on adipogenesis was added at the early (D3) and middle stage (D7), Oil red O staining was performed at D14 after induction; c mRNA levels of collagen VI and adipogenic-specific genes in the 3T3-L1 cells detected by qPCR. mRNA levels of the target gene are normalized to β-actin. Values are expressed as the mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 versus the control group (n = 3); d Western blotting results at the same stage with mRNA levels; e Relative expression of the target protein