目的:探讨DNA载体途径的RNA干扰技术抑制人端粒酶逆转录酶(hTERT)基因表达及诱导喉癌细胞Hep-2凋亡的作用。方法:构建靶向hTERT mRNA的质粒pshRNA1、pshRNA2及对照质粒pshRNA3、pEGFP,并将其分别转染喉鳞癌Hep-2细胞。共聚焦荧光显徽镜观察质粒转染及表达情况;RT—PCR测定hTERT mRNA表达;Western印迹测定hTERT蛋白表达;末端重复片断扩增-酶联免疫吸附(TRAP—ELISA)方法测定细胞端粒酶活性;MTT法研究细胞增殖活性变化;原位细胞凋亡(TUNEL)及透射电子显微镜研究细胞凋亡。结果:①共聚焦荧光显微镜下见大量的细胞呈现绿色荧光,与其他组比较,pshRNA1、2组呈现荧光的死亡细胞显著增加。②pshRNA1、2转染细胞后hTERTmRNA及hTERT蛋白表达显著降低;其端粒酶活性明显受到抑制:转染后2dpshRNA1组活性为:0.159±0.039、pshRNA2组活性为0.163±0.028,与空白对照组1.523±0.076比较,差异有非常显著性(P〈0.005)。③pshRNA1、2转染细胞后可显著抑制细胞增殖、诱导细胞凋亡。这两组细胞透射电镜可见典型细胞凋亡特征。结论-DNA载体途径的RNA干扰技术能有效抑制hTERT基因的表达及端粒酶活性并诱导癌细胞凋亡,此法可能成为抑制肿瘤细胞的新途径。
Objective:To suppress human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression an vector-based RNA interference d induce apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells by using DNA(RNAi) technology. Methods: Short hairpin RNA expression vectors targeting the mRNA of hTERT (pshRNA1 and pshRNA2) and the control vector (pshRNA3 and pEGFP) were constructed and then transfected into laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. Plasmid transfection and gene expression were observed by confocal laser microscopy. The mRNA expression and protein expression of hTERT were determined by reverse-trans criptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. The activity of telomerase was measured by telomeric repeated amplification enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA). Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and transmission electron microscope. Results.. ① The strong intensity of green fluorescence was observed indicating there were many dead cells in pshRNA1 and pshRNA2 groups than that in control group. ②hTERT mRNA and protein expressions in pshRNA1 and pshRNA2 groups significantly decreased. The activity of telomerase in these two groups were markedly inhibited (pshRNA1 : 0.159 ± 0.039; pshRNA2: 0.163±0. 028, control: 1. 523±0.076. P〈0.005). ③Transfections of Hep-2 cells with pshRNA1 and pshRNA2 significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of Hep-2 cells. The cells in two groups above showed typical apoptotic characteristics. Conclusion.. The expression of hTERT and the activity of telomerase were efficiently suppressed by using DNA vector-based RNA interfering technology. It can be a new strategy for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.