RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of MTA1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the anchorage-independent growth and anoikis of prostate cancer cell line PC-3.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After transfection of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells by MTA1 siRNA, we detected the expression of the MTA1 gene by real-time PCR and Western blot, the anchorage-independent growth of the cells by clone formation in soft agar, and their anoikis by DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, MTA1 siRNA transfection significantly decreased the mRNA and protein levels of MTA1, inhibited the anchorage-independent growth of the PC-3 cells, and induced their anoikis, all in a dose- and time-dependent manner (r = 0.935, P = 0.001; r = 0.901, P = 0.0005; r = 0.916, P = 0.0003).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MTA1 siRNA can inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of prostate cancer cells by inducing their anoikis.</p>