FOXO1 is directly targeted by miR-27a in PDAC. (A-C) Expression of miR-27a (A), miR-96 (B), and miR-182 (C) in fresh PDAC tissues. (D) The FOXO1 mRNA level is negatively correlated with miR-27a expression. (E) Sequence of miR-27a, and the 3’-UTR and mutant 3’-UTR of FOXO1. (F) Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-27a specifically targets FOXO1 in BxPC3 cells. (G) Inhibition of miR-27a elevates FOXO1 expression in BxPC3 and PANC1 cell lines. “NC”, negative control. (H, I) Inhibition of miR-27a inhibits BxPC3 (H) cell proliferation and PANC1 (I) cell invasion. (J) miR-27a predicts poor prognosis in PDAC patients. “NC”, negative control. **P < 0.01. All these assays were conducted in triplicate.