Fig. 4

MiR-144-3p targeted ACSL4 in LCa cells. A ACSL4 was identified to possibly interact with miR-144-3p and LCa by the intersection of Targetscan, miRDB, and GEPIA databases. B The expression of ACSL4 in LIHC tumor (n = 370) and normal (n = 50) in GEPIA database. C Overall survival (OS) analysis in LIHC based on ACSL4 expression in the GEPIA database. D The ACSL4 mRNA level in LCa (n = 46) and normal (n = 46) tissues by qRT–PCR. E IHC analysis of ACSL4 expression in LCa and normal tissues, the scale bar represents 100 µm. F The ACSL4 protein level in LCa cells (Huh-7 and HCCLM3) and normal cells (THLE-2) using western blot. G Schematic drawing showed the sequence of wild-type (wt) and mutant (mut) ACSL4 3′UTR. H and I The direct binding between ACSL4 3′UTR and miR-144-3p was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. J The miR-144-3p level in Huh-7 and HCCLM3 cells after transfection with anti-miR-144-3p or anti-miR-NC. K and L Western blot assay analyzed the ACSL4 expression in miR-144-3p inhibition and overexpressed Huh-7 and HCCLM3 cells. Data were presented as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001