Fig. 5

MCM3AP-AS1 functions as molecular sponge for miR-194-5p in HCC cells. a HepG2 and Hep3B cells that were transfected with two different MCM3AP-AS1 shRNAs and control shRNA, respectively, were subjected to qRT-PCR for miRNAs expression. *P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test versus sh-control. (b) Complementary sequence between miR-194-5p and wild type (wt) MCM3AP-AS1. The putative binding sites of miR-194-5p was mutated in MCM3AP-AS1 (mt MCM3AP-AS1). SMMC-7721 cells that were co-transfected with miR-194-5p mimics and wt or mt MCM3AP-AS1 vector were measured for luciferase activity. *P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. c The sequences for wt and mt forms of miR-194-5p were shown. MCM3AP-AS1 was highly enriched in the sample pulled down by biotinylated wt miR-194-5p rather than mt miR-194-5p. *P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test versus Bio-NC. d Anti-AGO2 RIP was performed in HepG2 cells transiently overexpressing miR-194-5p. The results indicted that MCM3AP-AS1, miR-194-5p and AGO2 formed a complex in miR-194-5p-transfected HepG2 cells. *P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. e HepG2 cells that were transfected with AGO2 siRNA or control siRNA were subjected to qRT-PCR for MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-194-5p expression. *P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test