miR-16 decreases BCL2 expression through ERK1/2 pathway. (A) Detection of the protein amount of BCL2, phosphorylated ERK1/2, and total of ERK1/2 in day-1, day-3 and day-5 PTC cells with miR-16 treatment by western blotting assay. The cells with no miR-16 and no PD98059 treatment. The expression level of BCL2 in control group have no obvious change with the time increased. (B) The cells treat with miR-16 but no PD98059, miR-16 decrease BCL2 expression for 3 days and 5 days. Concurrently, a lower expression level of phosphorylated ERK 1/2 is detected. (C) The cells treat with miR-16 and PD98059, the expressions of BCL2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 are significantly inhibited by PD98059. In contrast, there is no significant change in the total amounts of ERK. P < 0.01, based on the Student’s t-test.