Knockdown of survivin using siRNA promotes prostatic apoptosis in cancer cell DU145

AIM: To investigate the promoting effects of survivin-siRNA on apoptosis of DU145 cells. METHODS: The DNA template coding siRNA against survivin was synthesized and recombinant plasmid pSi-sur was constructed. The recombinant and the two controls, liposome and pSi-scrambled plasmid, were transfected into DU145 cells. The expression of survivin in mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Apoptosis was measured by acridine orange staining, Annexin V-FITC labeled flow cytometry and TUNEL assay.RESULTS: Compared to the liposome control, the levels of survivin mRNA and protein in siRNA group were 0.28±0.07 and 0.34±0.05 (n=3, P<0.05) respectively 72 h after transfection. The apoptotic rate of the cells in pSi-sur group was significantly higher than that in two control groups as showed in acridine orange staining, Annexin V-FITC labeled flow cytometry and TUNEL assay.CONCLUSION: Survivin siRNA significantly inhibits the expression of survivin both in mRNA and protein levels, and induces apoptosis of DU145 cells in vitro.