Fig. 4

SMAD3 protein levels are down-regulated by miR-23a. a SMAD3 protein expression was decreased by treatment with the miR-23a agomir but increased by treatment with a miR-23a antagomir in HEC-1-A cells (top data from the gels; bottom normalization to GAPDH) (n = 6 per group) (*P < 0.05). b SMAD5 protein expression was decreased by treatment with the miR-23a agomir but increased by treatment with a miR-23a antagomir in HEC-1-A cells (top data from the gels; bottom normalization to GAPDH). SMAD5 protein level was not significantly influenced by the overexpression or inhibition of miR-23a (n = 12 per group)