Yao Wei, Lu Jun-Yu, Qian Gui-Sheng, Yang Xiao-Jing
Institute of Respiratory Disease of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China.
Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2003 Feb;19(1):39-42.
To explore the effects of sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE-1) specific hammerhead ribozyme on the expression and activity of NHE-1 and pHi in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in rats, and its role in PASMCs proliferation.
According to the secondary structure of NHE-1 mRNA in rats, NHE-1 specific hammerhead ribozyme was designed with the assistance of computer. The recombinant vector of retroviral plasmid pLXSN and NHE-1 hammerhead ribozyme, PRZ, was transfected into the cultured PASMCs. G418 resistant cell clones were screened with 60 microg/ml G418. Then, the expression of NHE-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, intracellular pH was measured with fluorescent probe-BCECF, 22Na and 3H-TdR incorporation were determined respectively.
Compared with the cells transfected with pLXSN and non-transfected cells, NHE-1 mRNA, pHi value, 3H-TdR and 22Na incorporation decreased significantly in cells transfected with recombinant vector PRZ. No significance was found between the pLXSN transfected group and non-transfected group.
NHE-1 hammerhead ribozyme can cleave the target RNA specifically, reduce the expression of NHE-1 mRNA, induce intracellular acidosis and consequently prohibit the proliferation of PASMCs.