Knockdown of RAB42 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of liver cancer cells. (A) qRT-PCR assay was performed to compare the mRNA expression level of RAB42 in different liver cancer cell lines, including SMMC7721, Huh7, MHCCLM3, MHCC97L, Hep3B, HepG2 and normal hepatic cell line, LO2. n = 3. (B) qRT-PCR assay was performed to detect the silencing efficiency of RAB42 by three different siRNA in SMMC772 cells and Hep3B cells. Data were presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. ns, no significance; siRNA, small interfering RNA; NC, negative control. (C
,
D) Representative images of the EdU assay of SMMC772 cells transfected with siRAB42-3 and quantitative measurement of the proportion of EdU-positive SMMC7721 cells. Silencing RAB42 expression decreased the proliferation of SMMC7721 cells. Data were presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3. ***p < 0.001. (E
,
F) Representative images of the EdU assay of Hep3B cells transfected with siRAB42-2 and quantitative measurement of the proportion of EdU-positive Hep3B cells. Silencing RAB42 expression decreased the proliferation of Hep3B cells. Data were presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3. **p < 0.01. (G
,
H) Transwell assays showed the invasion and migration of SMMC7721 cells (G) and Hep3B cells (H) transfected with or without siRAB42. Silencing RAB42 expression inhibited the invasion and migration of SMMC7721 and Hep3B cells. Data were presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.