PTEN was a direct target of miR-222.

<p>A. The PTEN expression at the mRNA (histogram) and protein level (representative Western blot image) was gradually reduced until day 14 post injury, as compared to day 0 (control), and β-actin served as an internal control. B. The mRNA or protein level of PTEN was down-regulated by transfection with miR-222 mimics (miR-222) as compared with that of mimics control (NC) in DRG neurons. C. Representative micrographs following immunocytochemistry with anti-NF-200 (red) and anti-PTEN (green) showed that transfection with miR-222 reduced PTEN in the soma of DRG neurons as compared with that of NC in DRG neurons, while transfection with miR-222 inhibitor (anti-miR-222) resulted in accumulation of PTEN in the neurite end of DRG neurons as compared with that of inhibitor control (anti-NC) in DRG neurons. Scale bar, 30 µm.