(A) Endogenous PLCE1 mRNA levels in Eca109 cells transfected with the miR-34a mimic or NC, and in TE-1cells transfected with miR-34a inhibitor or NC, were analyzed by real-time PCR. (B-D) Proliferation ability was tested by MTT method in Eca109 cell cultures treated with miR-34a mimic, in TE-1 cell lines treated with miR-34a inhibitor, and in Eca109 treated with PLCE1 siRNA. The experiments were independently repeated three times. (E-G) Colony formation assays were performed with cells treated as above. (H-J) Evaluation of the effects of miR-34a, miR-34a inhibitor, and si-PLCE1 on cell apoptosis in Eca109 and TE-1 cells using a FACS Calibur flow cytometer. (K-L) Transwell assays were performed on Eca109 cell lines treated with miR-34a mimic and PLCE1 siRNA. (M) Expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bax, cleaved PARP, caspase3, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-7, and of the migration-related proteins snail, slug, E-cadherin, and vimentin were detected by Western blot analysis in the indicated ESCC cell lines. *
P < 0.05, **
P < 0.01, and ***
P < 0.001 vs. scramble control (Student's t-test).