RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect and the possible mechanism of HCCR siRNA on cell proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>pRIV2-siHCCR plasmids, which express small interfering RNA of HCCR were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. The mRNA and protein expressions of HCCR were detected by real time PCR and Western blot. The proteins p15, p16, p27, p53, and PTEN were detected by Western blot. The cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed by MTT and FACS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasmid pRIV2-siHCCR was constructed successfully. Real time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the HCCR siRNA effectively inhibited HCCR expression in HepG2 cells after pRIV2-siHCCR transfection. MTT method confirmed that HepG2 cell proliferation was suspended, while the cell apoptosis was increased much more than that in the control group. After the transfection with the plasmid of pRIV2-siHCCR into HepG2 cells, the expression of p53 protein was decreased, and P15 increased; and levels of PTEN, p16, and p27 were evidently not changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After being transfected with HCCR siRNA expression plasmid, the cell proliferation of HepG2 was arrested, while the apoptosis of HepG2 cells increased. Our results demonstrate the potential role of p53 and p15 in HCCR signaling.</p>