Fig. 2.

The roles of METTL16 overexpression in HCC. A METTL16 protein expression in SNU-398 and HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by western blot. B Migration ability of SNU-398 and HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by transwell migration assay. Scale bars, 100 µm. C Invasion ability of SNU-398 and HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by transwell invasion assay. Scale bars, 100 µm. D Cellular proliferation of SNU-398 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by EdU assay. Scale bars, 100 µm. E Cellular proliferation of HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by EdU assay. Scale bars, 100 µm. F Cellular proliferation of SNU-398 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by CCK-8 assay. G Cellular proliferation of HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by CCK-8 assay. H Cellular apoptosis of SNU-398 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by TUNEL assay. Scale bars, 100 µm. I Cellular apoptosis of HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by TUNEL assay. Scale bars = 100 µm. J Cellular apoptosis of SNU-398 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by caspase-3 activity assay. K Cellular apoptosis of HepG2 cells with METTL16 overexpression or control was detected by caspase-3 activity assay. L Weight and photograph of subcutaneous tumors formed by SNU-398 cell with METTL16 overexpression or control. Results are shown as mean ± SD of n = 3 independent experiments (B–K) or n = 6 mice in each group (L). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 by Student’s t-test (B–K) or Mann–Whitney test (L)