miR-16-2-3p targets PDPK1 to regulate MPMC proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and migration. (A) PDPK1 protein expression measured by western blot analysis in pre16-2-3p-transfected-MPMCs followed by transfection of PDPK1 expression plasmid or NC, and in si16-2-3p-transfected-MPMCs followed by transfection with siPDPK1 or siNC. Altering PDPK1 expression partly abolished the functional effect of miR-16-2-3p on (B) proliferation, (C) cell cycle, (D) migration and (E) apoptosis in MPMCs. Independent experiments were repeated at least 3 times, and the values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs. siNC. miR, microRNA; PDPK1, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1; MPMC, maxillary primordium mesenchymal cells; pre16-2-3p, precursor miR-16-2-3p; si, small interfering; NC, negative control; OD, optical density.