Sensitization of acnu killing effects on HeLa S3 cells by MGMT antisense RNA transfection

O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) plays a very important role in the cellular resistance to nitrosoureas drugs. Inhibition of MGMT might be a useful approach in tumor chemotherapy. In this study, the depletion of MGMT activity by retroviral-mediated antisense RNA transfection were reported. Three retroviral vectors expressing MGMT antisense RNA were constructed and transfected into HeLa S3 cells. The difference of MGMT mRNA, MGMT activity as well as cellular resistance to ACNU before and after transfection were observed. It was found that antisense RNA targeting 5' region and whole length of MGMT mRNA could partially deplete MGMT activity and enhance killing effects of ACNU. However, 3' region antisense RNA had no effect on MGMT modulation.