Knockdown of USP36 reduces the levels of mature miRNAs, but not pri-miRNAs. A and B, Expression of mature miRNAs upon USP36 knockdown. H1299 cells were infected with scrambled (scr) or USP36 shRNA-1 (A) or shRNA-2 (B) lentiviruses followed by qRT-PCR detection of the indicated miRNAs. Shown are the relative fold changes of miRNA levels normalized to U6 RNA as an internal control in USP36 shRNA infected cells compared with scr infected cells. Data were presented as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01, compared with scr control as determined by Student t test. The expression of USP36 assayed by IB is shown in the right. C, The expression of pri-miRNAs upon USP36 knockdown. Above H1299 cells infected with scr or USP36 shRNA lentiviruses were also assayed by qRT-PCR to detect the indicated pri-miRNAs. Shown are the relative fold changes of pri-miRNA levels normalized to U6 RNA as an internal control in USP36 shRNA infected cells compared with scr infected cells.