title: Downregulation of alpha-fetoprotein siRNA inhibits proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the function of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hairpin siRNA expressing plasmid pSilencer3.0-H1-afp was constructed and transfected into SMMC-7721 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The expression of AFP was monitored by real-time RT-PCR and immunoassays, its effect on SMMC-7721 cell proliferation and cell death was detected by MTT and fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AFP-siRNA expressing plasmid downregulated the expression of AFP obviously (about 34%), and inhibited SMMC-7721 cell proliferation, but did not induce apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Downregulation of AFP siRNA inhibits proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells, but cannot cause apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Jinan Central Hospital, 105# Jinan Jiefang Road, Jinan 250013, Shandong Province, China. sdjnwys@163.com
authors.forename: Yun-Shan
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Tong-Gang
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Xiang-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yue-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Guang-Ju
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Guan
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001483:Base Sequence; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins