Fig. 7

miR-146a targeted the PI3K mRNA 3′-UTR. a Bioinformatics research showed a binding site of miR-146a in the PI3K 3′-UTR. b DLRA was followed by co-transfecting cells with a luciferase reporter alternatively encompassing a wild-type or mutant PI3K mRNA and a miR-146a mimic into chondrocytes. c Q-PCR measured PI3K mRNA expression in patients with HCC (n = 40) and in healthy individuals (n = 12). Correlation analysis of tumor tissues from 40 HCC cases between miR-146a and PI3K mRNA expression (P < 0.001). d MALAT1 expression was measured for HepG2 and Huh-7 cell lines and normal human hepatocytes. e, f HCC cells undergoing transfection by a siMALAT1, siNC, with or without miR-146a inhibitor, or NC inhibitor for 48 h. WB was performed to detect PI3K expression in all groups. The results were shown as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001, in comparison with the indicated group