miR-338-3p targets the 3′-UTR of HOXA3 mRNA. (A) Predicted binding site of miR-338-3p in the 3′-UTR of HOXA3 mRNA. The paired sequence is highlighted by vertical lines. (B) Luciferase reporter assays investigating the effect of miR-338-3p on the 3′-UTR of HOXA3 mRNA. SUP-T1 cells were transfected with reporter vectors containing the WT or MT 3′-UTR of HOXA3, and were also transfected with miR-338-3p mimic, NC, miR-338-3p inhibitor or inhibitor NC. (C) Western blot analysis of HOXA3 protein expression in SUP-T1 cells transfected with the aforementioned RNAs. (D) Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis of HOXA3 mRNA levels in SUP-T1 cells transfected with the aforementioned RNAs. **P<0.01. miR-338-3p, microRNA-338-3p; 3′-UTR, 3′-untranslated region; HOXA3, homeobox A3; NC, negative control; MT, mutant; WT, wild-type.