Knockdown of survivin expression by small interfering RNA suppresses proliferation of two human cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

To construct an expression vector of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against survivin and observe its effects on survivin expression and proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell line PC-2 and breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

METHODS

Constructed an expression vector of siRNA against survivin and transfected it into PC-2 and MCF-7 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The expression of survivin was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and its effects on proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells were detected by MTT assay.

RESULTS

The introduction of sequence-specific siRNA could efficiently suppress survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the two cancer cell lines. In PC-2 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. In MCF-7 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 64.91% at mRNA level and 79.72% at protein level. The proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells was also suppressed, and 24 and 48 hours after the cells were reseeded, the proliferation inhibition rates of PC-2 cells were 28.00% and 33.38%, and that of MCF-7 cells were 31.58% and 33.02%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression vector of siRNA against survivin can block survivin expression in PC-2 and MCF-7 cells efficiently and specifically. Down regulation of survivin expression can suppress proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells. Survivin RNAi may have potential value in gene therapy of human cancers.