Long non-coding RNA MEG3 inhibits cervical cancer cell growth by promoting degradation of P-STAT3 protein via ubiquitination

MEG3 inhibits the tumor formation ability of cervical cancer cells. The rate of tumor formation and tumor size in MEG3 group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, the tumor formation rate and tumor size were significantly higher in MEG3 shRNA group than in the control group (a, b). Immunohistochemistry examination of tumors showed that the expression of Ki67 and P-STAT3 proteins was significantly lower and the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly higher in MEG3 group than in the control group; the expression of Ki67 and P-STAT3 proteins was significantly higher and the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly lower in MEG3 shRNA group than in the control group. The difference of STAT3 expression was not significant. Scale bar？=？50 μm (c). *P？<？0.0