[Effects of specific small interfering RNA on Smoothened expression and LoVo cell proliferation and apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) on Smoothened (Smo) gene expression and the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer LoVo cells.


METHODS
Three different siRNAs (siRNA-1, siRNA-2, and siRNA-3, respectively) were transfected into LoVo cells via cationic liposome, and the changes of Smo mRNA level were determined using semi-quantitative RT-PCR 48 h after transfection. Flow cytometry and MTT assay were performed to assess the effect of the siRNAs on the proliferation and apoptosis of LoVo cells.


RESULTS
Forty-eight hours after Smo siRNA-1 transfection, Smo mRNA expression in LoVo cells decreased by about 63.56%, a reduction significantly greater than that in cells transfected with the other two siRNAs. The cell proliferation decreased significantly after Smo siRNA-1 transfection in comparison with the control cells, and 48 h after transfection, significantly higher apoptosis rate was observed in Smo siRNA-1-transfected cells than in the control cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific siRNA can significantly decrease Smo mRNA expression and inhibit the proliferation while inducing apoptosis of LoVo cells.
Zhu
Da-jian
DJ
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. zhudajian123@sina.com
Fang
Chi-hua
CH
Rong
Zhen-xiang
ZX
Liu
Sheng-jun
SJ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D000072086:Smoothened Receptor; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C491023:SMO protein, human; D000072086:Smoothened Receptor