Fig. 3

PRNP gene expression is regulated by the GR in human CRC. A Heatmap showing the top 20 positively (in red) and negatively (in blue) correlated genes to PRNP expression in the GSE4183 dataset. Highlighted is the GR target TSC22D3. B, C Analysis of the GSE8671 (B) and GSE4183 (C) datasets reveals decreased TSC22D3 expression across the normal to adenoma sequence, followed by an increase from the adenoma to carcinoma sequence in human CRC. D, E Scatter plots showing the correlation between PRNP and TSC22D3 mRNA levels in GSE8671 (D) and GSE4183 (E) datasets. F Scatter plot showing the correlation between PRNP and TSC22D3 mRNA levels in the GSE39582 dataset of human CRC. G Relative TSC22D3 mRNA levels according to the CMS classification in the GSE39582 dataset of human CRC. NT = non tumor. H Boxplots showing the time-dependent increase in Prnp expression in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) exposed to Dexamethasone (Dex) (GSE11406 dataset). I, J Relative mRNA levels of TSC22D3 (I) and PRNP (J) in MDST8 cells exposed to Dex (1 µM, 24 h) versus vehicle (water), as determined in qPCR analysis. n = 3 cell preparations per condition. (***p < 0.001, *p < 0.05, Student’s t-test). K, L Relative mRNA levels of NR3C1 (K) and PRNP (L) in NR3C1-silenced versus control MDST8 cells, as determined in qPCR analysis. n = 2 independent triplicates of cell preparations. (***p < 0.001, Student’s t-test)