Down-regulation of Bcl-XL by RNA interference suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis in human esophageal cancer cells

Figure 1 RT-PCR analysis of the effect of siRNA-expressing vector on Bcl-X_L gene expression. A: Argarose gel electrophoresis of the RT-PCR products. L1: DNA marker; L2: RT-PCR product of the untreated cells; L3: RT-PCR product of the empty pTZ-U6+1 vector treated cells; L4: RT-PCR product of the control siRNA-expressing vector treated cells; L5: RT-PCR product of the siRNA-expressing vector No.1 treated cells; L6: RT-PCR product of the siRNA-expressing vector No.2 treated cells; L7: RT-PCR product of the siRNA-expressing vector No.3 treated cells. B: Quantification of the RT-PCR products (mean ± SD, n = 3, ^aP < 0.05 vs untreated esophageal cancer cells).

Figure 2 Western blotting analysis and effect of siRNA-expressing vectors. L1: Untreated esophageal cancer cells; L2: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with empty pTZ-U6+1 vector; L3: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with control siRNA expressing vector; L4: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with siRNA-expressing vector No.1.

Figure 3 Effect of siRNA-expressing vector on cell growth post transfection (mean ± SD, n = 3, ^aP < 0. 05 vs untreated esophageal cancer cells).

Figure 4 Effect of siRNA-expressing vector targeting Bcl-X_L on apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. A: Photographs of YO-PRO-1 staining under the inverted fluorescence microscope at 72 h after transfection. 1: Untreated esophageal cancer cells; 2: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with empty pTZ-U6＋1 vector; 3: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with control siRNA-expressing vector; 4: Esophageal cancer cells were transfected with siRNA-expressing vector No.1. B: Percentage of apoptotic cells in every 200 cells (mean ± SD, n = 3, ^aP < 0.05 vs untreated cells).