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Published on: September 1, 2018
Reduction of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit expression by modified U1 snRNA caused apoptosis in cervical
Anna Jankowska1, Samuel I Gunderson, Miroslaw Andrusiewicz
1Department of Cell Biology, University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5D, Poznan, Poland. ajanko@amp.edu.pl
Background:
Secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin, especially its beta subunit by malignant trophoblastic tumors and varieties of tumors of different origin is now well documented; however the role of hCG in tumorogenesis is still unknown.
Results:
This study documents the molecular presence of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit in uterine cervix cancer tissues and investigates a novel technique to reduce hCGbeta levels based on expression of a modified U1 snRNA as a method to study the hormone's role in biology of human cervical cancer cells cultured in vitro. The property of U1 snRNA to block the accumulation of specific RNA transcript when it binds to its donor sequence within the 3' terminal exon was used. The first 10 nucleotides of the human U1 snRNA gene, which normally binds to the 5'ss in pre-mRNA were replaced by a sequence complementary to a 10-nt segment in the terminal exon of the hCGbeta mRNA. Three different 5' end-mutated U1 snRNA expression plasmids were tested, each targeting a different sequence in the hCGbeta mRNA, and we found each one blocked the expression of hCGbeta in HeLa cells, a cervix carcinoma cell line, as shown by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Reduction of hCGbeta levels resulted in a significantly increased apoptosis rate with almost 90% of cells transfected with modified anti-hCGbeta U1 snRNAs showing morphological changes characteristic of the apoptotic process.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit may act as a tumor growth-stimulating factor.
Insights
Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (hCGbeta) promotes cervical cancer growth. Researchers used modified U1 snRNA to reduce hCGbeta levels, significantly increasing cancer cell apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its beta subunit (hCGbeta) are secreted by malignant trophoblastic tumors.
- The specific role of hCG in tumorogenesis remains largely unknown.
- hCGbeta presence is documented in various tumor types, including cervical cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of hCGbeta in human cervical cancer cells.
- To develop a novel method for reducing hCGbeta levels in cervical cancer cells.
- To analyze the impact of reduced hCGbeta on cancer cell biology.
Main Methods:
- Documented molecular presence of hCGbeta in uterine cervix cancer tissues.
- Utilized modified U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) to target and block hCGbeta mRNA expression.
- Employed immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR to confirm hCGbeta reduction in HeLa cells.
- Assessed apoptosis rates and morphological changes in transfected cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully reduced hCGbeta expression in HeLa cervical cancer cells using modified U1 snRNA.
- Demonstrated that blocking hCGbeta expression significantly increased the rate of apoptosis.
- Observed characteristic apoptotic morphological changes in nearly 90% of transfected cells.
Conclusions:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (hCGbeta) may function as a tumor growth-stimulating factor in cervical cancer.
- Targeting hCGbeta expression represents a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of hCGbeta in cancer biology.
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