Basic Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 14, 2006; 12(18): 2901-2907
Published online May 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i18.2901
Down-regulation of survivin expression by small interfering RNA induces pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and enhances its radiosensitivity
Hai-Tao Guan, Xing-Huan Xue, Zhi-Jun Dai, Xi-Jing Wang, Ang Li, Zhao-Yin Qin
Hai-Tao Guan, Xing-Huan Xue, Zhi-Jun Dai, Xi-Jing Wang, Department of Oncosurgery, the Second affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University Medical College, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
Ang Li, Medical Research Center, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University Medical College, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
Zhao-Yin Qin, Department of General Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University Medical College, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
Supported by the Foundation of Tackling Key Problems in Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province [2004K13-G11(1)]
Correspondence to: Hai-Tao Guan, Department of Oncosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University Medical College, 157 West 5th Road, Xi’an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China. guanhaitao@csco.org.cn
Telephone: +86-29-87679526 Fax: +86-29-87678599
Received: October 18, 2005
Revised: October 28, 2005
Accepted: November 18, 2005
Published online: May 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the expression of survivin in pancreatic cancer cell line PC-2 and the role of siRNA in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis and enhancing its radiosensitivity.

METHODS: A siRNA plasmid expression vector against survivin was constructed and transfected into PC-2 cells with LipofectamineTM 2000. The down regulation of survivin expression was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SP method and the role of siRNA in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis and enhancing its radiosensitivity was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: The sequence-specific siRNA efficiently and specifically down-regulated the expression of survivin at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression inhibition ratio was 81.25% at mRNA level detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and 74.24% at protein level detected by immunohistochemical method. Forty-eight hours after transfection,apoptosis was induced in 7.03% cells by siRNA and in 14.58% cells by siRNA combined with radiation.

CONCLUSION: The siRNA plasmid expression vector against survivin can inhibit the expression of survivin in PC-2 cells efficiently and specifically. Inhibiting the expression of survivin can induce apoptosis of PC-2 cells and enhance its radiosensitivity significantly. RNAi against survivin is of potential value in gene therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Keywords: RNA interference; Survivin; Pancreatic cancer; Radiation