Fig. 2

circRHOT1 knockout suppresses HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion but promotes apoptosis. a The expression of circRHOT1 was analyzed by qRT-PCR in circRHOT1-knockout HCC cells. b-d The effect of circRHOT1 on HCC cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 (b), colony formation (c) and EdU incorporation assay (d). e, f The effect of circRHOT1 on invasion (e) and migration (f) was evaluated by transwell assays. g The apoptosis of HCC cells was measured by staining with Annexin V/PI, followed by FACS analysis. h The Caspase 3/7 activity was measured by using a Caspase 3/7 Activity Apoptosis Assay Kit. i WT and circRHOT1-deleted HCC cells were subcutaneously injected into nude recipient mice. Four weeks later, the tumor weights were measured. j circRHOT1 low- and high-expression HCC cells were subcutaneously injected into nude recipient mice. Four weeks later, the tumor weights were measured. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001. All the data are representative of at least three independent experiments and presented as the means ± SD