Figure 5.

miR-221 targets 3ʹ-UTR of SOCS1 and suppresses the expression of SOCS1 during HCMV infection. (A) Potential base pairing is indicated by vertical lines between the seed sequence of miR-221 and its target sequences within the wild-type (wt) 3ʹ-UTR of SOCS1. Mutation (mut) of the miR-221 target sequence is predicted to eliminate miR-221-mediated repression. (B) NPCs were infected with HCMV for indicated hours, and the relative expression level of SOCS1 was determined by qRT-PCR. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs 0 h group. (C) NPCs were infected with indicated doses of HCMV for 24 h, and the relative expression level of SOCS1 was determined by qRT-PCR. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs 0 MOI group. (D) NPCs were untreated (Blank) or miR-221 mimic or mimic negative control for 24 h. The protein level of SOCS1 was detected by western blot, and quantified as indicated. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs blank group. (E) NPCs were untreated (Blank) or miR-221 inhibitor or inhibitor negative control for 24 h. The protein level of SOCS1 was detected by western blot, and quantified as indicated. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs blank group. (F) Luciferase report plasmids containing wild type or mutant SOCS1 3ʹ-UTR were transfected into the cells, followed by untreated or treated with miR-221 mimics or inhibitor. Relative luciferase activity was checked by luciferase activity assay.All these experiments have been repeated three times, and the representative data were shown. (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs mimics NC or inhibitor NC group).