Fig. 3

CEP55 is increased in esophageal carcinoma and is a target of microRNA-148a-3p. A Venn diagram of target genes of microRNA-148a-3p predicted by bioinformatics databases. B Volcano map of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in TCGA-ESCA dataset. Red dots present significantly upregulated genes; green dots present significantly downregulated genes. C Venn diagram shows the intersection of the 81 overlapping mRNAs predicted by bioinformatics databases and the upregulated DEmRNAs in the TCGA-ESCA dataset. D Box plot of CEP55 and SERPINE1 levels in tumor and normal samples from TCGA-ESCA dataset. E Pearson correlation analysis for CEP55 and microRNA-148a-3p. F Pearson correlation analysis for SERPINE1 and microRNA-148a-3p. G CEP55 level in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues. H CEP55 level in ECa-109, TE-1, EC9706, OE19 and Het-1A cells was assessed through qRT-PCR. I, J Transfection efficiency of microRNA-148a-3p mimic and inhibitor. K CEP55 protein level of microRNA-148a-3p over-expressed and silenced cell lines. L Putative binding sites of microRNA-148a-3p on CEP55 3′UTR. M Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay verified binding relationship between microRNA-148a-3p and CEP55; *p < 0.05