Retraction: MicroRNA-330 Is an Oncogenic Factor in Glioblastoma Cells by Regulating SH3GL2 Gene

After this article [1] was published, concerns were raised about results reported in Figs 3 and 5.

Specifically:

• In Fig 3B:

  • ○ There appear to be horizontal discontinuities across the length of both panels between the rows of bands.
  • ○ There appear to be vertical discontinuities between lanes 1 and 2, and between lanes 4 and 5 in the top row of the U87 panel.
  • ○ When levels are adjusted to visualize the background, the area around the band in lane 5 in the top row of the U87 panel appears to be discontinuous with the surrounding area.
• In Fig 5A:

  • ○ The bottom section of the Mock panel appears similar to the top section of the Pre-miR-con panel with some different features in the top left of the overlapping section.
  • ○ The bottom left of the Pre-miR-con panel appears similar to the top right of the Anti-miR-con panel.
  • ○ Similarities were noted between two regions in the central section of the Anti-miR-330 panel.
• The following panels in Fig 5 in [1] appear similar to the following panels in [2] when rotated 180°:

  • ○ The Mock panel in Fig 5A in [1] and the EC mimic control panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Pre-miR-con panel in Fig 5A in [1] and the EC inhibitor control panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Pre-miR-330 panel in Fig 5A in [1] and the EC miR-7a inhibitor panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Anti-miR-330 panel in Fig 5A and the EC miR-7a mimic control panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Mock panel in Fig 5B in [1] and the RP mimic control panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Pre-miR-330 panel in Fig 5B in [1] and the RP miR-7a inhibitor panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Anti-miR-con panel in Fig 5B in [1] and the RP inhibitor control panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Anti-miR-330 panel in Fig 5B in [1] and the RP miR-7a mimic panel in Fig 3D in [2].
  • ○ The Mock panel in Fig 5D in [1] and the far left panel in Fig 5E in [2].
  • ○ The Pre-miR-con panel in Fig 5D in [1] and the far right panel in Fig 5E in [2].
  • ○ The Pre-miR-330 panel in Fig 5D in [1] and the second left panel in Fig 5E in [2].
  • ○ The Anti-miR-330 panel in Fig 5D in [1] and the second right panel in Fig 5E in [2].

The authors did not respond to queries about the experiments in Figs 3 and 5.

During editorial follow up, it came to light that one of the cell lines used in this article [1], U87, described as a human glioblastoma cell line in the article [1], has subsequently been identified as a contaminated cell line, and has been shown to be a glioblastoma cell line of unknown origin [3].

In light of the unresolved concerns with Figs 3B and 5A discussed above, the PLOS ONE Editors retract this article.

All authors either did not respond directly or could not be reached.