TGFB2 is a direct target of miR-454-3p in NSCLC cells. (A) The predicted seed region of miR-454-3p at the 3′UTR of TGFB2 was analyzed with TargetScan software and the mutated version is presented. (B and C) A549 and NCI-H1650 cells were co-transfected with miR-454-3p mimics and TGFB2-WT or TGFB2-Mut for 48 h. Then, the luciferase activity was detected using the Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay kit. (D and E) The TGFB2 mRNA expression in A549 and NCI-H1650 cells transfected with NC or miR-454-3p mimics was assessed by RT-qPCR. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD, n=3. ***P<0.001 compared with NC group. TGFB2, transforming growth factor-β2; miR, microRNA; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; WT, wild-type; Mut, mutant; NC, negative control mimics; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; ns, not significant; miR-454-3p, miR-454-3p mimics.