Research Paper Volume 16, Issue 3 pp 2475—2493

Figure 5. Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) correlates positively with WNT1 expression. (A) Pearson’s correlations showing the relationship between KLF3 and WNT1 expression. (B) WNT1 levels were higher in CRC samples than in normal tissues, as shown by immunohistochemical analysis. (C, D) mRNA and protein levels of WNT1 and KLF3 in HCT-116 and SW480 CRC cell lines, shown by qPCR and western blotting, respectively, after KLF3 knockdown or overexpression. (E) Potential interaction sites between KLF3 and WNT1 according to the JASPAR database. (F) Diagram illustrating the predicted interaction site for KLF3 in the WNT1 promoter. (G–J) Verification of KLF3 interaction with the WNT1 promoter region in CRC cells, shown by ChIP-qPCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. (K, L) Luciferase assays exhibited a significant inhibition of luciferase activity the oe-KLF3 group within the wild-type WNT1 promoter relative to the controls. No response to oe-KLF3 was seen with the mutant WNT1 promoter. ****P< 0.0001.