Fig. 5

Circ_002136 functions as a miRNA sponge for miR-19a-3p in HCC. A MiR-19a-3p seed sequence and predicted target sites of wild-type or mutant circ_002136. B Analysis of luciferase activity in HCC cells co-transfected with miR-19a-3p mimic, mimic nc and luciferase reporter vector containing wild-type (WT) or mutant (MUT) circ_002136 sequences. C RNA pull-down assays were performed in HCC cells to confirm the direct binding of miR-19a-3p to circ_002136. D qRT-PCR was carried out to detect differential expression of miR-19a-3p in 35 pairs of samples (HCC tissues and paired non-tumor tissues). E qRT-PCR was performed to examine the differential expression of miR-19a-3p in several cell lines (THLE-3, Huh7, HA22T). F Introduction of si-circ_002136 in HCC cells increased the relative expression level of miR-19a-3p. *** P < 0.001. *** P < 0.001 indicates compared with mimic nc group, Input group, adjacent tissue group, THLE-3 group, and si-NC group