Objective:To explore the availability of targeted against polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) gene in the therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods:After Hep G2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against PLK1, real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to examine PLK1 gene expression in all cancer cells. The proliferation and growth of cancer cells in vitro were studied. Apoptosis of cancer cells was evaluated by terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl nick end labeling (TUNEL) and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively.
Results:Transfection of PLK1 siRNA resulted in significant inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. Expression of PLK1 in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells transfected with siRNA was down-regulated significantly. Obvious DNA ladder was shown. Cancer cells exhibited marked apoptosis in a time-dependent manner.
Conclusions:RNA interference PLK1 can inhibit proliferation through inducing apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. It provides a new route of treatment of hepatocellular cancer targeted against PLK1gene.