Fig. 4: RPLP2 regulates the expression and nuclear uptake of HIF-1α.

A, B Western blot analysis verifying the efficiency of HIF-1α overexpression in Hep3B cells and the greyscale analysis (n = 3, mean ± SD). C, D DNA synthesis was determined by EdU staining in Hep3B cells and the quantitative analysis. Overexpression of HIF-1α can reverse DNA synthesis in Hep3B cells inhibited by RPLP2 knockdown (n = 3, mean ± SD). Scale bar, 100 μm. E Colony-forming ability of Hep3B was rescued by HIF-1α overexpression and the quantitative analysis (n = 3, mean ± SD) is shown in (F). G HIF-1a overexpression increased lactate production. Cells with HIF-1α overexpression exhibited significantly increased lactate production compared with that of cells with RPLP2 knockdown at 24 h (n = 3, mean ± SD). H, I Western blotting and quantitative analysis were used to determine the changes in glycolysis-related enzymes and glucose transporters after overexpression of HIF-1α (n = 3, mean ± SD). J Immunostaining of Hep3B cells with antibodies against HIF-1α (red). Knocking down RPLP2 led to a decrease in the nuclear expression of HIF-1α, which was reversed by HIF-1α overexpression. Scale bar, 25 μm. *P < 0.05 versus corresponding control.