Figure 4.

Functional validation of the circUBAP2/miR-1244/MAP3K2 axis. si-circUBAP2-2 exhibited the most significant effect on (A) knocking down circUBAP2 expression and (B) increasing miR-1244 expression. (C) MAP3K2 expression was decreased after si-circUBAP2 transfection and was positively associated with circUBAP2 expression. (D) Expression of MAP3K2 and MAPK key factors (ERK, JNK and p38) were significantly decreased after circUBAP2-knockdown and were then reversed by co-transfection with the miR-1244 inhibitor. (E) Western blot assay indicated that the protein expression levels of MAP3K2, ERK, JNK and p38 were decreased after si-circUBAP2 transfection. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001 vs. control. circUBAP2, circular RNA UBAP2; miR, microRNA; si, small interfering RNA.