Fig. 3

CCNG2 is a direct target gene of miR-17-5p. (A) Bioinformatics results for miR-17-5p and CCNG2 expression level (log2[FPKM (RPM) + 0.01]) in 497 samples of HNSCC (up panel). The co-expression relation of miR-17-5p and CCNG2 expression level in 497 samples of HNSCC (down panel). r = − 0.105, p = 0.0191. (B) qRT-PCR and (C) western blot were used to detect the CCNG2 mRNA and protein level after miR-17-5p mimic or inhibitor transfection. *p < 0.05 vs. mimic NC or inhibitor NC. Gray value analysis is shown below the band (normalized to GAPDH). (D) Potential binding site of miR-17-5p at the 3’UTR of CCNG2 mRNA. (E) 293 T cells were co-transfected with miR-17-5p mimic or mimic NC and luciferase reporter plasmid containing wild-type or mutated miR-17-5p-binding site at CCNG2 3’UTR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect luciferase activity. **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001 vs. mimic NC