The relative luciferase activity of the WT construct of DNMT3A 3′UTR in both the colon cancer cells was significantly reduced in the presence of miR-143 (P<0.05 for 228 cells and P<0.01 for SW480 cells; Mann–Whitney test), whereas such a suppressive effect of miR-143 on luciferase activity was not observed in both cells with the MUT construct of DNMT3A 3′UTR (Figure 4B), highlighting a direct and specific interaction of miR-143 on DNMT3A 3′UTR. This evidence concerns the gene DNMT3A and colonic neoplasm.