Fig. 5.

MAFB is a direct target gene of miR-223. a. The RT-qPCR confirmed that the miR-223 expression was significantly lower in CNE-1 and CNE-2 than that in NP69 (*P < 0.05). b. MAFB gene expression level in NP69 and NPC cell line CNE-1 and CNE-2 was measured by RT-qPCR and western blot. c. The cDNA microarray analysis revealed that there were 39 differentially expressed genes between the CNE-2 transfected with miR-223 mimics and the CNE-2 transfected with negative control. d. RT-qPCR confirmed that the gene expression of MAFB was inhibited by miR-223 overexpression. The inhibition of MAFB gene expression on protein level through miR-223 mimic administration was confirmed by Western blotting. e. Schematic diagram of MAFB 3’ UTR-containing reporter gene constructs. f. Dual luciferase reporter assay in CNE-2 co-transfected with WT-UTR or mt-UTR recombinant vector (0.5 μg) and miR-223 (50 nM) as indicated. The experiment was performed at least 3 times. The data were showed as means ± SD. * indicates P < 0.05 compared with control group