Fig. 2

STAT3 is a direct target of miR-125b. a The binding sequence for miR-125b in the 3′-UTR of STAT3 and the mutations are indicated in red. The binding relationship between miR-125b and STAT3 in SCC-13 cells (an CSCC cell line) was analyzed using the dual-luciferase system. b Western blotting was used to determine STAT3 protein expression in A431, SCC13 and SCL1 cells transfected with the miR-125b mimic or scrambled control. c Immunoprecipitation–quantitative PCR was used to evaluate the direct interaction between miR-125b and STAT3. *p < 0.05 in comparison with scramble control transfection