MTF1 expression was upregulated in both the glioma tissues and cells, and RNA FISH assays confirmed the high expression level of MTF1 in glioma cell lines (Figures 2F and 2G; Figure S2C). Moreover, high expression of MTF1 was positively associated with a poor prognosis in patients with glioma (Figure S1C). Compared with the NC group, the proliferation rate of glioma cells in the MTF1 overexpression group, MTF1+, was significantly higher, whereas that in the MTF1 knockdown group, MTF1−, was significantly decreased (Figure 2H). In addition, glioma cells in the MTF1+ group showed significantly lower rates of apoptosis, along with increased numbers of migrating and invading cells, whereas knockdown of MTF1 significantly promoted apoptosis with reduced migration and invasion capacity (Figures 2I and 2J).
