title: In vitro study of Nucleostemin gene as a potential therapeutic target for human lung carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nucleostemin (NS) is a GTP-conjugated protein located in the nucleoli of stem cells and some cancer cells, and maintains cell self-renewal. We aimed to evaluate NS as a potential target for lung carcinoma gene therapy by investigating NS gene expression and its effect on A549 cell proliferation.
  
  
  METHODS
  NS mRNA and protein expression in A549, HepG2, SMMC-7721, HeLa, and U251 cells was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting following transfection of NS siRNAs and negative control siRNA (NC). The effect on cell proliferation was also analyzed by MTT assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NS mRNA and protein were both expressed in A549 cells and four other tumor cell lines; the relative expression levels were similar in all five cell lines. The three pairs of NS siRNA, either transfected alone or cotransfected into A549 cells, could effectively inhibit the expression of NS mRNA and protein. Moreover, the interference ratio showed an obvious concentration-dependent relationship. NS siRNA treatment resulted in significant inhibition of A549 cell proliferation by 35.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NS gene was not only highly expressed but also played an important role in A549 cell proliferation. Thus, targeting of NS may be a promising novel strategy for the treatment of lung carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Hong Xia
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xiu Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Guo Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: En Shu
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
chemical_list: C469949:GNL3 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins