title: Pax6 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human retinoblastoma cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether the Pax6 gene is involved in the development of retinoblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three human retinoblastoma cell cultures were transfected with human Pax6 specific double-stranded, small interfering siRNA molecules RH-1 and RH-2. In addition, untreated control groups and negative control groups (CT groups) transfected with siRNA without homology to the human genome were formed for all three cell culture lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After Pax6 gene was silenced by siRNA, the percentage of tumor cell survival decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Correspondingly, the percentage of apoptotic cells to total cells was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the three retinoblastoma cell lines transfected with siRNA than in the CT control groups and the untreated control groups. In a parallel manner, the cell cycle was significantly (P < 0.01) altered in the transfected study groups, with reduced percentages of retinoblastoma cells in the S-phase. The cell-cycle-associated protein P21 was upregulated, and the protein P27 was slightly upregulated in the transfected retinoblastoma cell lines, in comparison to the control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Silencing the Pax6 gene with short interfering RNA resulted in an inhibited growth and an increased apoptosis of cultured human retinoblastoma cells. It was paralleled by upregulation of the P21 and P27 proteins.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tong Ren Eye Centre, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shu-wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jost B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: Bo-wen
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yi-chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins