Fig. 3. Depletion of SUR1 reduces HPV gene expression in cervical cancer cells.

A, B Relative expression of ABCC8 mRNA in (A) HeLa and SiHa cells transfected with a pool of SUR1-specific siRNA (n = 4) and (B) two monoclonal HeLa cell lines stably expressing SUR1-specific shRNAs measured by RT-qPCR. Samples were normalised against U6 mRNA levels. C Relative mean DiBAC₄(3) fluorescence levels in HeLa and SiHa cells transfected with SUR1 siRNA. Samples were normalised to scramble controls. D, E Relative expression of E6 and E7 mRNA in (D) HeLa and SiHa cells transfected with SUR1 siRNA (n = 4) and (E) HeLa cell lines stably expressing SUR1-specific shRNAs measured by RT-qPCR. Samples were normalised against U6 mRNA levels. F, G Representative western blots of E6 and E7 expression in (F) HeLa and SiHa cells transfected with SUR1 siRNA and (G) HeLa cell lines stably expressing either a non-targeting (shNTC) or a SUR1-specific shRNA. GAPDH served as a loading control. H Relative firefly luminescence in HeLa and SiHa cells co-transfected with SUR1 siRNA and either a HPV18 or HPV16 URR reporter plasmid respectively (n = 4 for all conditions). Luminescence values were normalised against Renilla luciferase activity and data is displayed relative to scramble controls. Bar graphs represent means ± SD of three biological replicates (unless stated otherwise) with individual data points displayed. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001 (Student’s t test).