Figure 2.

miR-34c Targets AXL-3′ UTR and Regulates AXL Expression

(A) The predicted miR-34c-3p binding sites on the 3′ UTR of AXL mRNA (predicted by the RNA HYBRID program). (B) AXL expression was analyzed in Calu-1 cells, untreated or transfected with miR-NC or miR-34c-3p for 72 hr, by western blot analysis. β-actin was used as internal control. (C) A549 cells were transiently transfected with AXL-3′ UTR in the presence of miR-34c-3p or miR-NC. Luciferase activity was evaluated 48 hr after transfection. Bar graphs indicate mean value ± SD and the p value is calculated by using Student’s t test, **p < 0.01. (D) Western blot analysis of AXL protein expression in A549 cells co-transfected with vector control (VV) or AXL plasmid lacking the 3′ UTR region (AXL) and miR-34c-3p or miR-NC. β-actin was used as internal control.