Fig. 5. Stable transfection of Slug into MDCK cells induces epithelial to
mesenchymal conversion concomitantly with the loss of epithelial markers and
the gain of mesenchymal markers. (a-f) Phase-contrast images of living,
subconfluent cultures of a mock-transfected clone (a), four Slug-transfected
clones (b,c,d,e) and Snail-transfected cells (f). (g-x) Immunofluorescent
images of the indicated cell lines showing the localization and organization
of E-cadherin (g-l), fibronectin (m-r) and vimentin (s-x). See the loss of
E-cadherin stain and the increased expression and fibrous organization of
fibronectin and vimentin in the Slug and Snail
transfectants. Slu2 and Slu3 represent independent clones; Slu1I and Slu1 III
represent two subclones isolated from an original Slu1 clone. Bars, 40 µm
(a-f); 20 µm (g-x).