<i>SOD2</i> was identified as a target of miR-146a in PC12 and SH-SY5Y cells.

<p>(A) Prediction of the interaction between <i>sod2</i> mRNA 3′UTR and miR-146a. Sequence analysis showed that rat <i>sod2</i> mRNA 3′UTR 388-394 position mated with the rat miR-146a 2-8th nucleotides. (B) miR-146a down-regulated the luciferase activity of pGL3-Promoter-sod2-3′UTR. Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-146a mimics could down-regulate relative luciferase activity of pGL-sod2-3′UTR for 29.7%, compared with control group. Data are shown the mean ± SD (n = 6). **<i>P</i><0.01, as compared with control. (C) miR-146a down-regulated the expression of SOD2 protein, while antisense-miR-146a reversely increased the amount of SOD2 protein. NC, non-targeting scrambled-miRNA control. Anti-miR-C, scrambled antisense miRNA control. Anti-miR-146a, antisense-miR-146a. (D) The relative amounts of SOD2 protein treated with miR-146a and antisense-miR-146a were presented by the intensity ratio between SOD2 and β<i>-</i>actin in each lane. Data are shown the mean ± SD from 3 independent experiments, *<i>P</i><0.05.