Fig. 7. Rescue experiments are performed to confirm that DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) is the functional target of miR-29c-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.

a Western blot revealed DNMT3B protein expression in MHCC-97H-miR-29c-3p cells and HepG2-miR-29c-3p that were transfected with DNMT3B vector and NC. b Proliferation of MHCC-97H-miR-29c-3p cells and HepG2-miR-29c-3p cells that were transfected with DNMT3B vector and negative control (NC) was determined by CCK-8 assay. c Wound healing assay was performed to determine the effects of DNMT3B on HCC cell migration. d Colony formation assays assessed the effects of DNMT3B on HCC cell proliferation. e The methylation status of large tumor suppressor gene 1 (LATS1) was detected in MHCC-97H-miR-29c-3p cells and HepG2-miR-29c-3p cells that were transfected with DNMT3B vector and NC. f Western blot revealed the expression of Hippo signaling pathway components, including proliferation- and apoptosis-related indicators in MHCC-97H-miR-29c-3p cells and HepG2-miR-29c-3p cells that were transfected with DNMT3B vector and NC; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01