RNAi抑制MCF7细胞Lon基因后的生物学效应

目的 通过构建Lon基因表达下调的哺乳动物细胞模型,观察Lon基因对肿瘤细胞增殖及凋亡的影响.方法 设计针对Lon蛋白酶基因的小干扰RNA(siRNA),构建pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon真核表达载体,并用脂质体法转染人乳腺癌细胞MCF7.RT-PCR法检测Lon基因下调的水平,通过采用高温、紫外线照射、顺铂处理,观察Lon基因下调后细胞敏感性的变化(MTT法);流式细胞术检测siRNA诱导细胞凋亡的作用.结果 RT-PCR显示重组质粒pSilencer U62.1-Lon转染MCF7细胞后,Lon基因明显下调,RT-PCR未见扩增目的条带,细胞培养结果显示细胞增殖能力明显减弱.MTT结果显示,pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon转染的MCF7细胞经紫外线照射和顺铂处理后,增殖能力明显下降,与空载体转染组和未转染组相比有显著差异(P＜0.05).加热应激实验显示,41℃处理后,RNA干扰转染组(pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon)与空载体转染组(pSilencer U6 2.1)、未转染组相比有显著性差异(P＜0.05).而在43℃和45℃时,3组之间均无显著性差异(P＞0.05).流式细胞术检测pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon质粒组细胞凋亡率为(22.47±3.15)%,相对于空载体转染组的(2.3±0.9)%和无质粒转染组的(1.14±0.79)%有明显提高,而空载体转染组和无质粒转染组相比无明显差异.结论 RNAi能有效下调Lon蛋白的表达.Lon基因的下调可抑制乳腺癌细胞MCF7的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,并可增加MCF7细胞对紫外线和顺铂的敏感性.

Effect of RNA interference for Lon gene silencing on growth and apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF7 cells

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of Lon gene in tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell stress response. METHODS: Small interfering RNAs (smRNAs) for Lon gene were designed using Ambion software and synthesized. The recombinant plasmid pSilencer U6 2.1/Lon was constructed with the smRNAs and pSilencer U6 2.1, followed by transfection into MCF7 cells via Lipofectamine(TM) 2000. The positive cLones were detected by RT-PCR 24 h after cell transfection. The transfected MCF7 cells were then subjected to cisplatin treatment, ultraviolet (UV) exposure and heat stress, respectively, after which the cells growth was tested with MTT assay and the measurements were plotted against time or concentration depending on the treatment administered. Apoptosis of MCF7 cells following the treatments was measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mRNA of Lon gene was downregulated in cells transfected with the recombinant plasmid pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon, and RT-PCR fail to detect the specific band of Lon as could be detected in untransfected and mock-transfected MCF7 cells. MTT assay showed that pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon transfection resulted in reduced cell proliferation capacity. Stress response test revealed that MCF7 cells with Lon gene down-regulation enhanced cell sensitivity for UV and cisplatin, which was not observed for non-transfected or mock transfection group. The same changes were also observed for heat stress exposure at 41 degrees Celsius;, but not at 43 degrees Celsius; or 45 degrees Celsius;. Increased cell apoptosis rate from (1.14-/+0.79)% to (22.47-/+3.15)% occurred following pSilencer U6 2.1-Lon transfection of the cells. CONCLUSIONS: Lon gene can be significantly downregulated by introduction of siRNA in MCF7 cells to result in enhanced sensitivity of MCF7 cells to UV, cisplatin and heat stress.