Fig. 5

Expression of hsa_circ_0055538 affects the levels of key proteins involved in the p53/Bcl-2/caspase signaling pathway. a, b SCC9 and CAL27 cells were subjected to either the overexpression a or knockdown b of hsa_circ_0055538. Cell extracts were used for immunoblotting, and the levels of key proteins related to the p53/Bcl-2/caspase signaling pathway were detected by western blotting. c, d SCC9 (left) and CAL27 (right) cells were subjected to either the overexpression c or knockdown d of hsa_circ_0055538. The mRNA levels of the key genes related to the p53/Bcl-2/caspase signaling pathway (corresponding to proteins in a and b) in SCC9 and CAL27 cells were detected by qRT-PCR. e, f SCC9 (e) and CAL27 (f) cells overexpressing p53 after knockdown of hsa_circ_0055538 (Si + p53 AT) were subjected to CCK-8 assay to measure cell proliferation at different time points. The mRNA level of the RMND5A was detected by qRT-PCR. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Student’s t-test, ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01