Figure 3.

Circ_0004018 serves as miR-1197 sponge in HCC cells. (a-b). The distribution of circ_0004018 in the nucleus and cytoplasm of HCC cells was examined through subcellular fractionation and FISH assays. (c). RNA pull down verified the strong affinity of circ_0004018 and miR-1197. (d). The predicted binding site of miR-1197 within the sequence of circ_0004018 was presented. (e). Enhanced miR-1197 expression level was observed in miR-1197 mimics-transfected HCC cells based on RT-qPCR results. (f). The binding of circ_0004018 and miR-1197 was further verified with the help of luciferase reporter assay. **P < 0.01