Fig. 5

KPNA2 is a direct target of miR-139. a A schematic illustration of the targeting sites of miR-139 in the 3′ UTR of KPNA2 mRNA transcript and the luciferase reporter plasmids containing parts of KPNA2 3’UTR with either a wildtype or deleted miR-139 target sites. b-d KPNA2 mRNA level was retrieved from the LIHC dataset in TCGA. b KPNA2 level was compared between HCC tissues and non-cancerous tissues. c KPNA2 level in HCC patients at different pathological stages. d The correlation analysis for the association between miR-139 and KPNA2 levels. e and (f) Hep3B and SMMC7721 cells were transfected with miR-139 mimics or control oligos. The (e) mRNA and (f) proteins levels of KPNA2 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. g In Hep3B cells the luciferase reporter assay was performed. MiR-139 mimics and the reporter plasmids or control vectors were co-transfected into the cells. The Renilla and firefly luciferase activities of the reporters or vectors were measured with the Dual-Glo assay. h The anti-miR-139 oligos and the reporter plasmids or control vectors were co-transfected into the Hep3B cells. The Renilla and firefly luciferase activities of the reporters or vectors were measured with the Dual-Glo assay. All experiments were repeated 3 times. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001