Fig. 4

MiR-644a downregulates HSF1 expression by binding to its 3’UTR. (a) Targetscan and miRanda analysis show putative miR-644a binding sites in the 3’UTR of HSF1. (b) Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of HSF1 mRNA expression in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells co-transfected with miR-644a mimic and wild type or mutant HSF1. (c) Representative western blot shows HSF1 protein expression in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells co-transfected with miR-644a mimic and wild type or mutant HSF1. (d–e) Relative luciferase activity in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells co-transfected with miR-644a mimic and wild type or mutant HSF1. Note: * denotes P < 0.05 and ** denotes P < 0.01 compared to controls