Figure 7.

Positive correlation between TSP‐1 and lncTHBS1 expression. lncTHBS1 targets miR‐449c by directly binding to a miRNA response element. A, The expression of lncTHBS1 mRNA in CD (n = 33) and normal pituitary tissue (n = 7). B, Correlation analysis of the relationship between lncTHBS1 expression and TSP‐1 level. C, Northern blot assays were used to detect lncTHBS1 expression in CD. D, Schematic representation of the predicted binding sites for miR‐449c, and the site mutagenesis design for the reporter assay. E, The relative luciferase activities were inhibited in the HEK‐293T cells transfected with the reporter vector lncTHBS1‐WT, but not with the reporter vector lncTHBS1‐Mut. F, miR‐449c expression decreased lncTHBS1 expression, and inhibition of miR‐449c enhanced lncTHBS1 expression in the HEK‐293T cells. G, lncTHBS1 expression decreased miR‐449c expression whereas inhibition of lncTHBS1 increased miR‐449c expression in HEK‐293T cells. H, miR‐449c was identified in the lncTHBS1 complex. miR‐NC and miR‐449c cell lysates were used for RNA‐IP with anti‐Ago2 antibody. Cells transfected with miR‐449c mimics or miR‐NC, followed by qRT‐PCR to detect lncTHBS1. **P < 0.01