Fig. 6

MALAT1–miR-126-5p regulates VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST expression in colon cancer cells. a Predicted sequences of miR-126-5p binding sites within the 3′-UTRs of VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST, and sequences of VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST 3′-UTR mutants (Mut) used in this study (top). b–d Correlation analysis of miR-126-5p and predicted target gene (VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST) expression levels in CRC tissues, assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation. e–g Correlation analysis of MALAT1 and expression levels of predicted target gene (VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST) in CRC tissues, assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation. h, i Analysis of miR-126-5p and MALAT1 regulatory effects on VEGFA, SLUG, and TWIST in HCT116 cells by qRT-PCR and immunoblot. j Luciferase activity in HCT116 cells co-transfected with miR-126-5p mimics and luciferase reporters containing the indicated 3′-UTR-driven reporter constructs or mutant transcripts. Data were presented as the relative ratio of firefly luciferase activity to Renilla luciferase activity. Three independent experiments were performed. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to the control group, by Student’s t-test