Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Silencing of BRCA2 to Identify Novel BRCA2-regulated Biological Functions in Cultured Human Cells
09:24

Silencing of BRCA2 to Identify Novel BRCA2-regulated Biological Functions in Cultured Human Cells

Published on: August 12, 2015

Downregulation of bcl-2 expression in lymphoma cells by bcl-2 ARE-targeted modified, synthetic ribozyme

Ettore Luzi1, Laura Papucci, Nicola Schiavone

  • 1Department of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Florence, Italy. et.car@dada.it

Cancer Gene Therapy
|March 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Synthetic ribozymes effectively reduced bcl-2 expression in cancer cells, leading to increased apoptosis. This study highlights their therapeutic potential for treating bcl-2 overexpressing tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Therapeutics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Synthetic ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules engineered to target and degrade specific messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences, thereby inhibiting gene expression.
  • Overexpression of BCL-2 protein is common in apoptosis-defective tumors, contributing to cancer cell survival and resistance to therapy.
  • Targeting bcl-2 offers a potential strategy for cancer treatment by restoring apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of a synthetic ribozyme in inhibiting bcl-2 gene expression in a human lymphoma cell line.
  • To assess the impact of bcl-2 inhibition on cancer cell survival and apoptosis.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of ribozymes for treating bcl-2 overexpressing cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Design and chemical stabilization of a hammerhead ribozyme targeting the A+U-rich regulatory element of bcl-2 mRNA.
  • Accessibility of the RNA target was probed using antisense DNA in cellular extracts.
  • Lipotransfection of the designed ribozyme into a bcl-2 overexpressing human lymphoma cell line (Raji).

Main Results:

  • Successful cellular uptake of the synthetic ribozyme in Raji cells.
  • Significant reduction in both bcl-2 mRNA and BCL-2 protein levels was observed.
  • A dramatic increase in cancer cell death via apoptosis was induced by the ribozyme treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic ribozymes can effectively inhibit bcl-2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels.
  • Targeted ribozyme delivery leads to apoptosis in bcl-2 overexpressing cancer cells.
  • These findings support the potential of synthetic ribozymes as a novel therapeutic approach for bcl-2-driven malignancies.

More Related Videos

Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell Differentiation11:06

Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell Differentiation

Published on: September 20, 2017

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells07:23

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells

Published on: May 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...