Hsa_circ_0003848 promotes gastric cancer via miR-144-3p/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor and serves as a plasma biomarker in Helicobacter pylori infection

Figure 4 Hsa_circ_0003848 regulates mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor expression by sponging hsa-miR-144-3p. A: Venn diagram showing hsa-miR-144-3p as a shared predicted target of hsa_circ_0003848 across three databases; B: Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirming the direct binding between hsa_circ_0003848 and hsa-miR-144-3p; C: Venn diagram identifying mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) among six candidate genes potentially regulated by hsa-miR-144-3p; D: Knockdown of hsa_circ_0003848 reduced MET mRNA expression; E: Hsa-miR-144-3p directly binds to MET 3′UTR as confirmed by luciferase assay; F: Positive correlation between hsa_circ_0003848 and MET expression in gastric cancer tissues; G: Western blot showing decreased MET protein levels after silencing hsa_circ_0003848. Western blot analysis of MET protein levels following siRNA-mediated knockdown of hsa_circ_0003848. The bar chart represents the quantitative densitometry analysis relative to GAPDH (loading control) from three independent measurements; H: RNA immunoprecipitation assay showing both hsa_circ_0003848 and hsa-miR-144-3p are enriched in argonaute2 complexes. n = 3, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001. AGO2: Argonaute2; IgG: Immunoglobulin G; MET: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor; NC: Negative control.