title: [Telomerase SiRNA inhibits KB cell growth in human oral squamous cell carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the telomerase SiRNA on telomerase mRNA and on KB cell growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We synthesized 21-nucleotide SiRNA duplexes with symmetric 2-nucleotide 3' overhangs corresponding to the target sequence (2 657 approximately 2 675 nucleotide downstream of the start codon) of telomerase mRNA. Telomerase activity, cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were measured after transfection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty one-nucleotide small interfering RNA (SiRNA) duplexes specifically suppressed expression of endogenous telomerase mRNA in human oral squamous carcinoma KB cells. This inhibitory effect lasted only for about 48 h after transfection. Telomerase activity reduction corresponded to the mRNA suppression. Cell proliferation decreased by 30% at 48 h after transfection and lasted for 120 h after treatment. This inhibitory effect resulted from the block of G(1) to S transition. Apoptosis was not involved in this process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SiRNA is a powerful tool for studying gene function and can be used as gene-specific therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510260, China. Yangz@pub.guangzhou.gd.cn
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Guang-sheng
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia-kun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhong-liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yi-xiong
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D007624:KB Cells; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D019098:Telomerase