Figure 4. ZEB1 was a direct target of miR-124-3p in PTX-resistant GC cells.

(A) Putative binding regions between ZEB1 and miR-124-3p. (B and C) The interactions between ZEB1 and miR-124-3p were verified by luciferase reporter assay in MGC-803/PTX and AGS/PTX cells. (D) Expression of ZEB1 in 30 pairs of PTX-resistant GC tissues and adjacent PTX-sensitive GC tissues. (E) ZEB1 protein level was measured in PTX-resistant GC tissues and adjacent PTX-sensitive GC tissues (F) Western blot analysis of ZEB1 protein level in GES-1, MGC-803, MGC-803/PTX, AGS, and AGS/PTX cells. (G) Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess the expression association between ZEB1 and miR-124-3p in PTX-resistant GC tissues. (H and I) ZEB1 expression level was determined by Western blot assay in MGC-803/PTX and AGS/PTX cells transfected with Control, sh-NC, sh-ZEB1, sh-ZEB1 + anti-miR-NC and sh-ZEB1 + anti-miR-124-3p. (J) IC₅₀ value of PTX in transfected MGC-803/PTX and AGS/PTX cells. (K) Apoptosis rates in transfected MGC-803/PTX and AGS/PTX cells were measured by flow cytometry assay. (L) Invasion capability in transfected MGC-803/PTX and AGS/PTX cells was detected by transwell invasion assay; *P < 0.05.