Fig. 3

USP26 is targeted by miR-203. a Schematic representing complementary sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of USP26 and seed sequence of miR-203a-5p. On top is shown the bases in red that were mutated to generate the mutant heterologous reporter construct. b Relative reporter activity (firefly luciferase normalized to renilla luciferase) in HET-1A, Kyse150, and TE-1 cells transfected with wild-type or mutant USP26 3′UTR reporter construct. Shown are scattered plot, median with range (n = 03). c Relative expression of miR-203-5p in the three cell lines transfected with control or MIR203A/5P mimic as determined by qRT-PCR. Shown are scattered plot, mean ± SD (n = 03). d Relative reporter activity (firefly luciferase normalized to renilla luciferase) in HET-1A, Kyse150, and TE-1 cells transfected with wild-type USP26 3′UTR reporter construct along with control or MIR203A/5P mimic. Shown are scattered plot, median with range (n = 03). **P < 0.01; ***P = 0.001; ****P < 0.00001; ns, not significant