Rab23 is a potential biological target for treating hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 1 In situ hybridization using tissue microarrays.

Figure 2 Rab23 gene silencing in Hep-3B cells. Green fluorescence could be detected in siRNA-transfected Hep-3B cells (negative control group).

Figure 3 Expression of Rab23 in normal liver tissues and HCCs as seen by immunohistochemistry (A-C) and in situ hybridization (D-F).

Figure 4 Electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products of Rab23 mRNA in Hep-3B cells after being silenced by siRNA. Lane 1: marker 1500; Lane 2: blank control group; Lane 3: transfection group; Lane 4: negative control group.

Figure 5 Electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products of β-actin mRNA in Hep-3B cells. Lane 1: marker 1500; Lane 2: blank control group; Lane 3: transfection group; Lane4: negative control group.

Figure 6 Electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products of Rab23 mRNA in Hep-3B cells after being silenced by siRNA. Lane 1: blank control group; Lane 2: transfection group; Lane 3: negative control group. ^aP < 0.05 vs control.

Figure 7 Western blot results for Rab23 in Hep-3B cells after being silenced by siRNA. Lane 1: blank control group; Lane 2: transfection group; Lane 3: negative control group.

Figure 8 Western blot result for Rab23 in Hep-3B cells after being silenced by siRNA. Lane 1: blank control group; Lane 2: transfection group; Lane 3: negative control group. ^aP < 0.05 vs control.

Figure 9 The results of MTT assays. At 48 h and 72 h, growth of Hep-3B cells was inhibited after being interferenced by siRNA against Rab23 gene. the survival rate of the transfection group decreased compared with controls. P < 0.01 vs control group. Again, there was no significant difference between blank and negative control groups, P > 0.05.

Figure 10 Apoptotic rate of Hep-3B cells measured by flow cytometry. in negative control (A), blank control (B) and transfected (C) groups.