Fig. 4: HOTAIR functioned as a ceRNA of miR-93 to regulate ATG12 expression.

a MiR-93 target sites in ATG12 3′-UTR and mutant sites in ATG12-Mut reporter. b, c Luciferase activities were measured at 48 h post transfection in SW480 and HCT116 cells co-transfected with ATG12-Wt or ATG12-Mut reporter and miR-93 mimic or miR-NC. d–f SW480 and HCT116 cells were transfected with miR-NC, miR-93 mimic, anti-miR-NC, or anti-miR-93. Forty-eight hours later, ATG12 mRNA (d) and protein (e, f) levels were measured by RT-qPCR assay and western blot assay, respectively. g–i SW480 and HCT116 cells were transfected with siHOTAIR or its scramble control, HOTAIR overexpression plasmid or its empty vector. Forty-eight hours later, ATG12 mRNA (d) and protein (e) levels were measured by RT-qPCR assay and western blot assay, respectively. *P < 0.05.