Knockdown of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha increased apoptosis of human endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells.
BACKGROUND
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) coactivates multiple transcription factors and regulates several metabolic processes. In this study, we focused on the roles of PGC-1α in the apoptosis of endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells.


METHODS
PGC-1a expression in the HEC-1A cells was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Small interfering RNA directed against PGC-1α was designed and synthesized, and RNA interference technology was used to knock down PGC-1α mRNA and protein expression. Cell apoptosis, cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential were then analyzed using flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax, was detected with Western blot.


RESULTS
The specific downregulation of PGC-1α expression in the HEC-1A cells increased their apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by reducing the expression of Bcl-2 and increasing the expression of Bax.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that PGC-1α influences the apoptosis of HEC-1A cells and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation of the apoptotic mechanism in human endometrial cancer.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Hui
H
Yang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Rui
R
Yang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Hao
H
Liu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Zhongqian
Z
Ren
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Cuicui
C
Wang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Da
D
Li
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Xiaoxin
X
Ma
Bax; Bcl-2; PGC-1α; apoptosis; endometrial cancer