Fig. 2

HCG18 inhibits the proliferation and migration ability but promotes apoptosis of NPCs. (A) The expression level of HCG18 significantly increased in clinical nucleus pulposus samples of ST patients (n = 30, *** p < 0.001). (B) The nuclear cytoplasmic separation assays indicated that the expression level of HCG18 in the cytoplasm is significantly higher than that in the nucleus (n = 3, *** p < 0.001). (C) FISH assays indicated that HCG18 is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of NPCs (n = 3). (D, E) Identification of HCG18 inhibitors and overexpression plasmids (n = 3, *** p < 0.001). (F) Knocking down HCG18 can significantly inhibit apoptosis of NPCs, while overexpression of HCG18 can significantly promote apoptosis of NPCs (n = 3). (G) Knocking down HCG18 significantly promoted the migration capability of NPCs, while overexpression of HCG18 significantly inhibited the migration capability of NPCs (n = 3, *** p < 0.001). (I) Knocking down HCG18 can significantly promote the proliferation capability of NPCs, while overexpression of HCG18 can significantly inhibit the proliferation capability of n NPCs (n = 3, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001)