Figure 1.

Identification of TGFBR3 as a novel target of let‐7a. A, qRT‐PCR analysis of the TGFBR3 mRNA level was significantly reduced (*P < 0.05). B, Western blot analysis showed reduction in TGFBR3 protein. C, The results of Western blotting were calculated using Image J and Vinculin was used as an internal control. Negative control expression was set as 100% (*P < 0.05). D, A schematic of the computational predicted seed region in the 3′UTR of TGFBR3 was shown, as well as the mutated sequences used in this study. E, HEK293T cells were co‐transfected with either let‐7a mimics or Con mimics and pmirGLO Vector comprising TGFBR3 3′UTR‐WT or ‐MUT. The relative firefly luciferase activity normalized with Renilla luciferase was measured 48 h after transfection (***P < 0.001, ns means no significance). F, Schematic of let‐7a potential binding site in Tgfbr3 3′UTR region. G, The relative luciferase activity mediated by let‐7a and TGFBR3 3′UTR/mutated 3′UTR (*P < 0.05, ns means no significance)