Figure 2.

hsa_circ_0072309 overexpression induces the inhibition of migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. (A) The migratory ability of AGS cells was analyzed using wound healing assays and (B) quantified. Scale bar, 100 µm. (C) The invasive ability of AGS cells was evaluated using Transwell assays and (D) quantified. Scale bar, 100 µm. (E) The protein expression levels of MMP7 and MMP9, which are related to cell invasion were detected using western blotting. (F) The expression levels of proteins including PPARγ, PTEN, p/t-PI3K, p/t-AKT and p/t-mTOR were detected using western blotting. (G) The mRNA expression levels of PPARγ, PTEN, PI3K, AKT and mTOR were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs. control. circ, circular RNA; Oe, overexpression vector; PPARγ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; p-, phosphorylated.