Inhibitory effect of survivin-targeting small interfering RNA on gastric cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research
• Genetics

Background:

• Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health challenge.
• Survivin is frequently overexpressed in GC, correlating with poor prognosis.
• Targeting survivin presents a potential therapeutic strategy for GC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of survivin-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA-survivin) in inhibiting gastric cancer cell growth.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying siRNA-survivin's effects on GC cells.
• To evaluate survivin expression modulation using eukaryotic expression vectors.

Main Methods:

• Design and establishment of stable double-stranded RNA targeting survivin.
• Transfection of gastric cancer cell lines (BGC823, MKN45, SGC7901) with siRNA-survivin.
• Assessment of survivin interference rates, protein expression, apoptosis, and cell proliferation.
• Analysis of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic cytochrome C, and caspase-3 levels.
• Construction and transfection of pRNA-shSU eukaryotic expression vectors.

Main Results:

• siRNA-survivin achieved significant interference rates in various GC cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant ones.
• Survivin protein expression was markedly reduced post-interference.
• Apoptotic rates increased significantly, while cell proliferation was inhibited.
• Changes in mitochondrial/cytoplasmic cytochrome C and caspase-3 levels indicated pathway activation.
• Plasmid transfection led to increased survivin expression, confirming vector functionality.

Conclusions:

• siRNA-survivin effectively suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.
• The mechanism involves the downregulation of survivin mRNA and protein.
• Modulation of mitochondrial cytochrome C and caspase-3 pathways is crucial to siRNA-survivin's anti-cancer effects.