Fig. 4

The TSPYL5-p53 axis may act as a liaison between miR-380-5p and TEP1. a Schematic representation of the proposed molecular circuitry by which miR-380-5p may interfere with TEP1 expression/function in cancer cells. Other than directly acting on the ORF of TEP1, miR-380-5p may interfere with the gene expression/function via a TSPYL5-p53 axis. It is possible to hypothesize that p53 may impinge on TEP1 levels by (1) transcriptional repression, (2) increased degradation and/or (3) physical interaction (sequestration). Ub ubiquitin. b Assessment of TSPYL5 expression levels in STO and A549 cells transfected with siCTR or siTSPYL5 (RQ in transfected vs. NT cells; mean values ± s.d.); **P < 0.01 vs. siCTR-transfected cells. c Representative immunoblottings showing TSPYL5, TEP1 and p53 protein amounts in NT, siCTR- and siTSPYL5-transfected cells. Cropped images of selected proteins are shown. d Quantification of TA in siCTR- and siTSPYL5-transfected cells (arbitrary units (au.); mean values ± s.d.); *P < 0.05;**P < 0.01 vs. siCTR-transfected cells. e Representative immunoblottings showing TEP1 and p53 protein amounts in STO and A549 cells as a function of the indicated treatment modalities. Cropped images of selected proteins are shown. The graph on the right shows the quantification of protein amounts reported as percentage (mean values ± s.d.) with respect to untreated cells (i.e. no siRNAs and no doxorubicin). f Assessment of TEP1 mRNA expression levels in STO and A549 cells in the absence or presence of doxorubicin (RQ in doxorubicin-treated vs. untreated cells; mean values ± s.d.); *P < 0.05 ***P < 0.001