Fig. 5

miR-224 targetedly regulated DESC1 expression. a Online bioinformatics software microrna.org predicted there was potential binding site between miR-224 and 3’UTR of DESC1. b Luciferase reporter gene vector containing DESC1 3’UTR WT or DESC1 3’UTR MUT, miR-224 mimic or pre-NC or miR-224 inhibitor or NC were co-transfected into HEK293T cells. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-224 mimic or miR-224 inhibitor decreased or increased the activity of DESC1 WT, and did not significantly change the activity of DESC1 MUT. c-e EC9706 or KYSE30 cells were transfected with miR-224 mimic or miR-224 inhibitor or controls. qRT-PCR and Western blot showed that miR-224 mimic or miR-224 inhibitor significantly decreased or increased mRNA level (c) and protein level (d) of DESC1, and increased or decreased protein level of EGFR and p-AKT (e). f mRNA level of DESC1 was downregulated in ESCC tissues