Fig. 1

SCD ablation is detrimental to breast and prostate cancer cell lines cultured in low serum. a Strictly standardised mean difference (SSMD) calculated from cell numbers obtained in a functional genomic screen targeting lipid metabolism genes. Genes with the strongest differential (Diff.) between full serum (10 % FCS, FS) and low serum (1 % FCS, LS) are shown. b Screen results for SCD RNAi across the panel of breast and prostate cell lines. SSMD values below −2 indicate statistical significance. RWPE1 cells were cultured in KSFM. c Loss of cell number following silencing of SCD or PLK1 in DU145, MDA-MB-468, PC3 and T47D cells cultured in full serum (FS) or low serum (LS) for 72 h. Cell numbers are relative to non-targeting controls (RISC). Statistical comparisons were performed using Student t test (*p ≤ 0.05). d Breast and prostate cancer cell lines were treated with different doses of SCD inhibitor for 72 h in medium containing full (FS) or low (LS) serum. Cell numbers are relative to untreated controls. Data represent the mean ± SEM of three independent biological replicates. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student t test (*p ≤ 0.05). e DU145 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of two structurally distinct SCD inhibitors (SCDi I and SCDi II) for 72 h in medium containing full (FS) or low (LS) serum. Cell number is relative to untreated controls. Data represent the mean ± SEM of three independent biological replicates. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student t test (*p ≤ 0.05)