AKT2 was a direct target of miR-612. A. The predicted binding site of miR-612 in AKT2, as well as the effect of miR-612 mimics on luciferase activity of reporter gene with wild-type or mutant AKT2 were detected by luciferase reporter assay. ***Represents miR-612 mimics vs. miR NC, P < 0.001. B. Transfection efficiency of miR-612 mimics or inhibitor, as well as the influence of miR-612 mimics or inhibitor on mRNA expression of AKT2 in Fadu and SAS cells was detected by qRT-PCR. **, ***Represents miR-612 mimics vs. miR NC or miR-612 inh vs. NC inh, P < 0.01, P < 0.001. C. The influence of miR-612 mimics or inhibitor on protein expression of AKT2 and p-AKT2 in Fadu and SAS cells were detected by western blot. **, ***Represents miR-612 mimics vs. miR NC or miR-612 inh vs. NC inh, P < 0.01, P < 0.001. D. The mRNA expression of AKT2 in HNSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected by qRT-PCR (N = 60). ***Represents tumor vs. adjacent normal tissues, P < 0.001. E. Negative correlation between AKT2 and miR-612 in HNSCC tissues was analyzed. F. Protein expression of AKT2 in HNSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected by western blot. *Represents tumor vs. adjacent normal tissues, P < 0.05.