(A) The predicted miR-15a-binding sites for LINC00473. (B) The expression of miR-15a was analyzed in CRC tissues and relatively normal tissues were by Q-PCR. (C) The correlation between miR-15a and LINC00473 in CRC tissues was determined. (D) The expressions of miR-15a and LINC00473 were confirmed in normal human colon epithelial cell line FHC and four CRC cell lines HCT116, SW620 and LoVo. (E) Knockdown of LINC00473 could increase the miR-15a levels in HCT116 cell line. (F) The HCT116 cell line was transfected with miR-15a mimics, psiCHECK2-LINC00473-wild or mut and negative control, and then the luciferase activity was measured. **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, data represent the means ± s.d.