Suppression of eGFP expression in erythroid-specific transgenic mice by siRNA

We have studied the role of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in the suppression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) in vitro and in vivo. siRNA plasmids for suppressing the eGFP expression were constructed, in which H1 promoter amplified from human 293 T cells was used to drive the small interfering RNA (19-nt) synthesis. In vitro studies demonstrated that the constructed siRNA plasmids had an effective suppressive effect on eGFP expression in 293 T and Mel cells. When the siRNA plasmid was injected into erythroid-specific eGFP transgenic mice, the eGFP expression were significantly suppressed (over 20% reduction) in the recipient mice compared to the control mice and the suppressing effect lasted for 2 weeks after one single injection. Moreover, the suppressive effect could be re-generated or boosted with secondary injections. Our results demonstrate a tissue-specific gene suppression by siRNA treatment.