RASSF1A expression mediated by lentivirus inhibits growth of small-cell lung cancer cell line H446

AIM：To explore the inhibitory effect of Ras-association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) on the small-cell lung cancer cell growth. METHODS：The lentiviral expression vector containing RASSF1A gene was constructed and used to infect the small-cell lung cell line H446. The growth curve and cell cycle were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS：We obtained the H446 cells in which RASSF1A was stably expressed (named RASSF1A-H446). Compared with normal cell group and negative cell group, RASSF1A inhibited the proliferation of H446 cells, and arrested H446 cells in G1 phase. The expression of p21 and p27 was significantly increased, and E2F1 was significantly decreased in RASSF1A-H446 cells. CONCLUSION：RASSF1A inhibits the H446 cell growth by increasing the expressions of p21 and p27, and decreasing the expression of E2F1.     

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector miRNA let-7a1 and its effect on the proliferation of lung cancer A549 cells

AIM: To construct a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector, pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 and to express it in lung cancer A549 cells for detecting its effect on the proliferation of A549 cells. METHODS: The pre-let-7a1 sequence was amplified by RT-PCR using RNA from human lung cancer A549 cells, and then inserted into pSilencer 4.1-CMV neo vector to generate pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 which was transfected into lung cancer A549 cells. The expression of miRNA let-7a1 was verified by RT-PCR. Its activity in A549 cells was determined by luciferase reporter assay after cotransfection of let-7a1 target sequence-reporter gene plasmid with pMIR-report let-7a1T, which was constructed by inserting let-7a1 target sequence into the luciferase reporter 3’UTR of pMIR-report luciferase vector. The effect of pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 transfection on A549 cell proliferation was detected by MTT method. RESULTS: The sequences of cloned pre-let-7a1 were correct. RT-PCR results indicated that pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 was effectively expressed in the transfected A549 cells. The relative luciferase activity was decreased significantly after A549 cells were co-transfected with pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 and pMIR-report let-7a1T, indicating that let-7a1 was expressed effectively and had biologic activity in A549 cells that were transfected with pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1. MTT results showed that miRNA let-7a1 gene overexpression in A549 inhibited cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression vector pSilencer 4.1-let-7a1 is successfully constructed and effectively expresses in A549 cell. The overexpression of miRNAlet-7a1 gene inhibits lung cancer A549 cell proliferation.     

Effect of estrogen receptor 2 on the cell proliferation in prostate cancer cell line PC-3M

AIM: To construct the recombination plasmid pcDNA3.1-hERβ with the human estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) full length cDNA and transfect it into hormone-independent prostate cancer PC-3M cell line, and to study the effects of ESR2 on proliferation in transfected cells. METHODS: The complete cDNA of ESR2 was obtained from human ovary tissue by RT-PCR technique and cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 by using gene recombination technique to construct the pcDNA3.1-hERβ recombination plasmid. The plasmid was detected by endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing and was transfected into PC-3M cells. MTT and FCAS assay were used to test the effects of ESR2 on the ability of proliferation in PC-3M cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of cyclinD1 and P21Cip1. RESULTS: The results of sequencing and endonuclease digestion demonstrated that the construction of pcDNA3.1-hERβ recombination plasmid was successful. The sequence analysis suggested that the ESR2 sequence detected by PCR was identical to that published in GenBank, and the product of endonuclease was as long as the complete human ESR2 gene. 48 h after transfected the pcDNA3.1-hERβ into PC-3M cells, the expression of ESR2 mRNA and protein levels increased significantly detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Compared to the cells transfected with vector as control, the PC-3M cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-hERβ showed that cell population decreased and proliferation activity degraded. FCAS showed that the cells in G0/G1 stage increased and in S stage or G2/M stage decreased. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of cyclinD1 gene reduced and expression of P21Cip1 increased. CONCLUSION: The recombination of plasmid pcDNA3.1-hERβ is constructed and transfected into the PC-3M cells successfully. The activity of cell proliferation is inhibited after pcDNA3 transfection.1-hERβ. It is possible that ESR2 inhibits cell proliferation by the expression of proliferation related genes cyclinD1 and P21Cip1.     

miR-193b enhances cytotoxicity of doxorubicin by targeting Mcl-1 in breast cancer

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA(miR)-193b on doxorubicin therapy in breast cancer in vitro.METHODS: miR-193b level in plasma was detected by real-time PCR in the patients with breast cancer or the healthy controls. MTT assay was performed to measure the inhibitory effect of miR-193b plus doxorubicin on the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. Bioinformatics, real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to determine whether the expression of Mcl-1 was regulated by miR-193b. Mcl-1 expression vector was constructed, and the role of Mcl-1 vector toward miR-193b plus doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells was observed by MTT assay.RESULTS: Down-regulation of miR-193b was found in breast cancer patients. The miR-193b plus doxorubicin group showed a higher growth inhibition than cisplation group in MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of Mcl-1 at both mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated after miR-193b transfection. The growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with miR-193b plus doxorubicin was significantly decreased after the transfection of Mcl-1 expression vector.CONCLUSION: miR-193b sensitizes doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity by targeting Mcl-1 in breast cancer.     

Construction and identification of eukaryotic expression vector of bcl-2 siRNA

AIM: To construct eukaryotic expression vector of small interfering RNA(siRNA) specific to bcl-2 and investigate the effect of recombinant plasmid on suppressing bladder cancer cell growth.METHODS: siRNA of bcl-2 gene was designed according to the principle of RNAi-based medicine, and was converted into cDNA coding expression of small hairpin RNAs(shRNA) of siRNA. The cDNA was synthesized and inserted into plasmid pGenesil-1. The recombinant eukaryotic expression vectors of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were controlled by the U6 promoter of RNA polymerase Ⅲ, identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis, and transfected into T24 cells. After T24 cells were transfected for 72 h, expression of bcl-2 mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR; and MTT was used to observe the proliferation of T24 cells.RESULTS: The recombinant plasmids of pGenesil-1545 and pGenesil-1555 were identified by the restriction map and the sequence analysis. The sequences completely coincided with the designs. The expression of the bcl-2 mRNA in T24 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid decreased nearly 80%, and the growth of T24 cells was suppressed significantly.CONCLUSION: The siRNA eukaryotic expression vector against bcl-2 gene is successfully constructed. It effectively downregulates the expression of bcl-2 in T24 cells and suppresses the cell growth.     

High expression of PDX-1 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mediated by superfect

AIM: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector containing pancreatic duodenal homebox-1 (PDX-1) and to elevate the expression efficiency of exogenous gene in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was constructed. Flow cytometry was used to identify the cell cycle of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in vitro. Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was transfected into bone marrow MSCs using superfect in medium. After being selected by G418, RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the expression of PDX-1 in MSCs. RESULTS: Restricted enzyme analysis and sequencing showed that PDX-1 gene segment was consistent with that in GenBank. Flow cytometry showed that there were about 85.9% cells at the cell cycle of G0/G1. The whole cells transfected emitted green fluorescence under flow cytometry. The efficiency of transfection was above 40%. RT-PCR and Western blotting demonstrated that there was expression of PDX-1 in transfected bone marrow MSCs. CONCLUSION: Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was constructed successfully. Superfect mediated expression of exogenous gene in bone marrow MSCs in a high efficiency, and bone marrow MSCs containing exogenous gene are an ideal cells for gene therapy.     

Role of ACSL3 expression in suppressing prostate cancer cell metastasis

AIM:To analyze the difference of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3) expression between normal prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells.METHODS:ACLS3 mRNA expression between normal prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells was compared using RT-PCR. Meanwhile, ACSL3 gene was amplified from prostate cancer cells, and the eukaryotic expression plasmid pCDNA3.1(+)-Flag-ACLS3 and lentivirus Lenti-ACLS3 were constructed. After transfection of ACSL3-plasmid and lentivirus into the prostate cancer cells, ACSL3 expressive was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and then Matrigel invasion assay was performed to investigate the alteration of the invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells with over-expression of ACSL3. RESULTS:A significant difference of ACSL3 mRNA level between normal prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells was observed. ACSL3 was highly expressed in localized prostate cancer cells compared to metastatic prostate cancer cells, while ACSL3 expression was higher in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells than that in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, the eukaryotic expression plasmid and lentivirus containing ACLS3 gene were successfully constructed. The prostate cancer cell line which stably over-expressed ACLS3 was established. Up-regulation of ACSL3 inhibited the invasive ability of prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSION:ACSL3 plays an antagonistic role in invasiveness of prostate cancer.     

Effect of antisense VEGF gene on VEGF expression in human renal cell carcinoma

AIM: To construct eukaryotic expression vector carrying human antisense VEGF gene and to study its effect on VEGF expression and growth of renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: VEGF gene was cloned. Antisense VEGF gene was inserted into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(-), then using restrict enzyme to confirm the result. The vector was transfected into renal cell carcinoma and positive clone was selected by using G418. The VEGF expression was detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. The growth of cells was measured by MTT and cell cycle by FCM. RESULTS: Antisense VEGF gene eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. Compared with empty vector group and control group, the amount of VEGF mRNA expression and VEGF protein were decreased in the antisense VEGF group, the difference was significant. There was no significant difference between empty vector group and control group. The cell growth in the antisense VEGF group became slower, and the percent of G1 phase increased and the percent of S phase decreased. CONCLUSION: Antisense VEGF gene decreases the VEGF mRNA and protein expression in renal cell carcinoma and inhibits the growth of renal carcinoma. Antisense VEGF gene may be used in gene therapy of renal carcinoma.     

Construction of mouse pdx-1 gene eukaryotic expression vector and its expression in embryonic stem cells

AIM: To clone mouse pdx-1 gene and construct its eukaryotic expression vector for expression of pdx-1 in mouse embryonic stem cells.METHODS: Mouse pdx-1 cDNA fragment was amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from mouse pancreatic cDNA. The purified fragment was recombinated with a eukaryotic expression vector carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein, pEGFP-N1. The pdx-1 cDNA fragment was inserted into the multi-clone sites of the vector to construct a new plasmid, pEGFP/pdx-1. E.colli strain DH5α was transfected with the new recombinant plasmid to expand it. Plasmid DNA extracted from the expanded DH5α was identifed by cutting with Hind Ⅲ, BamHⅠ nuclease and by DNA sequencing. Identified plasmid DNA was transfected into mouse embryonic stem cell line MESPU13 by carrying with liposome. RESULTS: A 876 bp cDNA fragment was amplified from mouse pancreatic cDNA by PCR and it was inserted into the vector pEGFP-N1 correctly. The fragment was defined to be pdx-1 gene by nuclease digestion and DNA sequencing. Mouse embryonic stem cell line MESPU13 was transfected with the new recombinant plasmid DNA. The green fluorescent protein report gene and pdx-1 gene expressed in transfected mouse embryonic stem cells within 24 h. CONCLUSION: Mouse pdx-1 gene is cloned and its recombinant eukaryotic expression vector carrying green fluorescent protein is constructed successfully. It provides a useful tool for further research on the function of pdx-1.     

DIM enhances effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum on growth inhibition and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell PC-3

AIM: To study the effects of the combination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP) and 3, 3-diindolylmethane (DIM) on the growth and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cell PC-3. METHODS: MTT method was applied to detect the cell growth inhibitory rate. The cell apoptosis was measured by the flow cytometry and acridine orange staining method. The expression of the anti-oncogene p21 was detected by RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: The combination of 60 μmol·L^-1 DIM and 0.4 mg·L^-1 DDP effectively inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. This result was the same as the effect of using 4 mg·L^-1 DDP only. The cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis rates for the combination of DIM and DDP were much higher than those for the individual effect. Both the combination and the single effect of these two medicines (i.e., DIM and DDP) all strengthen p21 mRNA expression significantly, and the effect of combination was more significant. CONCLUSION: DIM significantly enhances the effects of DDP on the growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in PC-3 cells.     

Construction and sequence analysis of eukaryotic expression vector of Chinese prostate-specific membrane antigen

AIM: To obtain eukaryotic expression vector of Chinese prostate-specific membrane antigen. METHODS: Chinese prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from prostate cancer tissues, then cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0 and sequenced. RESULTS: Seven bases in Chinese PSMA cDNA sequence were found different from those reported by Israeli, which lead to two different amino acids. CONCLUSION: We have obtained the PSMA cDNA, and the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. The study lays foundation for DCs vaccine modified by PSMA gene for the treatment of prostate neoplasms.     

Effects of JAG1 gene silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of Jagged 1 (JAG1) gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. METHODS:The specific recombinant vector pRS-JAG1 was transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells with lipofectamine. The protein expression of JAG1 was observed by Western blotting after transfection. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of JAG1 gene silencing on the growth of the cells. The apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of cyclin D1, p21CIP1/WAF1, p27KIP1, p-Rb, Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the expression level of JAG1 was reduced by pRS-JAG1 transfection for 72 h (P<0.05). The growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in shJAG1 group was significantly inhibited (P<0.05). The percentages of G 0/G 1-phase cells and early apoptotic rate were obviously higher in shJAG1 group than those in control group (P<0.05). The shRNA-mediated JAG1 silencing decreased the protein levels of cyclin D1, p-Rb, Bcl-2 and Bax, and increased the protein levels of p21CIP1/WAF1, p27KIP1, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:JAG1 silencing effectively inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of human breast cancer cells, suggesting that JAG1 might serve as a therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer.     

Molecular cloning of ING4 gene and ING4-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells

AIM: To isolate a gene encoding mouse ING4, construct pcDNA3.0-ING4 recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid and investigate its effects on HeLa cells in vitro. METHODS: The mouse ING4cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from mouse liver. The eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.0-ING4 was constructed by DNA recombination technique. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-ING4 was identified by PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequence analysis, then was transfected into HeLa cells by lipofectamine. The expression was determined by RT-PCR. Apoptosis was detected by fluorescence microscope with Hoechst33258 staining and laser scanning confocal microscope. Cell cycle distribution was measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: RT-PCR product was about 750 bp specific fragment. Analysis by restricting enzyme digestion and PCR of pcDNA3.0-ING4 recombiant plasmid showed that results were about 750 bp, DNA sequencing revealed that ING4 cloning were successful. With Hoechst fluorescence staining, we found that the percentage of apoptotic rate in HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0- ING4 (21.25%) was higher than that in HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0 (8.91%,P<0.01). Apoptosis was also detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. Cell cycle analysis reavealed the cell number in S phase of HeLa cells transfected with pcDNA3.0- ING4 increased. CONCLUSION: The gene encoding mouse ING4 and construction of pcDNA3.0- ING4 eukaryotic expression vector were successfully obtained, ING4 could enhance apoptosis in HeLa cells.     

Effects of hepatitis C virus core protein on cell cycle of HepG2 cells

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection by studying the effect of its core protein on cell growth and the expression of cell cycle regulators such as cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in HepG2 cells. METHODS: A eukaryotic expression vector that carried a gene encoding HCV-core-1b was constructed. The cDNA of HCV core protein was subcloned into pBabe-Flag-puro vector to generate pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b. The plasmid was transfected into Pheonix 293T packaging cells to produce retroviruses. The virus-containing supernatant collected from the cell culture was used to infect HepG2 cells and subsequently the cell line that stably expressed the core protein of HCV was obtained.The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The pBabe-Flag-HCV-core-1b vector was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The expression of HCV gene type 1b core protein was verified by Western blotting. The overexpression of HCV gene type 1b core protein impaired the cell cycle progression in G₀/G₁ phase and significantly reduced the levels of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 in the cells. CONCLUSION: A eukaryotic expression plasmid that contains the cDNA of HCV core protein is successfully constructed, and a HepG2 cell line which stably expressed the core protein of HCV is also established. HCV gene type 1b core protein inhibits the cell cycle possibly through down-regulation of cyclin D1 and pRb/p130 proteins in the cells.     

Transition of WT1 isoforms inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of human leukemia cell line HL-60

AIM: To study the potential effects of exogenous Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) isoforms on the proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemia cell line HL-60. METHODS: WT1 (17AA－/KTS－) gene obtained by RT-PCR was cloned into a PCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing, and was transfected into HL-60 cells by LipofectamineTM 2000. The stable transformants were selected by G418 screening. WT1(17AA－/KTS－) expression was identified by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. The proliferation of the cells was measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis of the cells was determined by morphological observation and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression vector PCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP-WT1 (17AA－/KTS－) was successfully constructed. The recombinant cells exhibited high mRNA and protein levels of WT1(17AA－/KTS－). The growth of recombinant cells was slower than that of HL-60 cells transfected with control vector and normal HL-60 cells. After exposed to As2O3 at 2 μmol/L for 48 h, both recombinant cells and control cells exhibited the morphological characteristics of apoptosis, but the former was more typical than the latter. The apoptosis was enhanced in the recombinant cells after the cells were exposed to As2O3 for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Exogenous WT1(17AA-/KTS-) isoform inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of leukemic cells.     

Construction of eukaryotic expression vector and expression of outer membrane lipoprotein LipL41 gene of Leptospiria lai

AIM:To construct a eukaryotic expression vector expressing outer membrane lipoprotein LipL41 of Leptospira lai and express it in mammalian cell. METHODS:LipL41 gene was amplified by PCR from genome of Leptospira lai 017 strain, and was subcloned into vector pGEX-4T-1. After sequencing, LipL41 gene digested by restriction endonuclease and cloned into vector pcDNA3. After confirming the correctness of the eukaryotic recombinant vector by restrication enzyme digestion, it was transfected into COS7 cells by liposome. Its expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS:A fragment of 1 011 bp was amplified, and sequence analysis showed it had a 98% homology with Leptospira kirschneri. The analysis of restriction enzyme indicated that the eukaryotic recombinant vector was correctly constructed. A specific amplified fragment was showed in the cells transfected with recombinant plasmid by RT-PCR, but the cell transfected with blank plasmid did not show this band. CONCLUSIONS:The LipL41 gene of Leptospira lai was successfully inserted into eukaryotic expression plasmid and the recombinant plasmid expressed the LipL41 mRNA.     

Construction and identification of eukaryotic dicistronic vector expressing TCA-12-2/TCB-7.1

AIM: To construct the recombinant dicistronic eukaryotic expression vector pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1, which containing T cell antigen receptor (TCR) genes TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1, and to transfer this recombinant vector into 293 cells to investigate the expression of TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1. METHODS: The TCA-12-2 was obtained by RT-PCR from the T cells and the TCB-7.1 was amplified by PCR from plamid pcDNA3.1-TCB-7.1 that we constructed before. TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 was cloned into vector pIRES2-AcGFP1 firstly, then subcloned into vector pDC315. The recombinant plasmid pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1 was verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing, the positive recombinant plasmid was transferred into 293 cells using Lipofectamine 2000. The expressions of gene TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 were identified by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both TCA-12-2 and TCB-7.1 genes were constructed into eukaryotic expression vector pDC315 and the expressions of genes in 293 cells were detected successfully with RT-PCR and flow cytometry. CONCLUSION: The dicistronic expression vector pDC315-TCA-12-2-TCB-7.1 is successfully constructed and expressed.