Fig. 2

USP14 expression promotes the proliferation, migration, and glycolytic metabolism of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. A, F The knockdown or overexpression efficiency of USP14 in HN4 cells was examined by Western blotting. B, G HN4 cells were transfected with USP14-shRNA or HA-USP14 plasmid. Proliferative ability was determined by cell counting at the indicated time points. Data represent the means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. C, H HN4 cells were transfected with the indicated plasmids and seeded into 6-well plates at a density of 2000 cells/well. After 10 days, colony formation was detected by crystal violet staining. Data represent the means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. D, I Wound healing assay was performed on HN4 cells stably transfecting with USP14-shRNA or HA-USP14 plasmid. Images were photographed and analyzed by measurement of the cell-free areas in multiple fields using a service provided by Wimasis. Data represent the means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. E, J HN4 cells were transfected with the indicated plasmids. Cell migration was investigated using Transwell assay. The numbers of migrated cells per field (mean ± S.D.) from three independent experiments. K, L Cellular glucose consumption and lactate excretion were detected in HN4 cells with USP14 silencing using glucose uptake assay and lactate colorimetric assay, respectively. Data represent the means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. M, N Cellular glucose consumption and lactate excretion were detected in HN4 cells with USP14 overexpression. Data represent the means ± S.D. of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001