Effect of RhoA gene silencing on proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To construct a RhoA-siRNA expression vector and determine its role on the malig-nant behavior of HepG2 cells.Methods A RhoA-siRNA DNA fragment was synthesized and cloned into the expression vector of pGenesil-1.The constructed Rhon-siRNA DNA plasmid was stably transfected into HerG2 cells by lipofectamine,and then HepG2 cells were divided into the HepG2/RhoA-siRNA group (HepG2 cells were transfected with pGenesil-1-RhoA-siRNA),HepG2/control group(HepG2 cells were transfected with control plasmid) and HepG2 group (without plasmid transfection).The inbibitory effect of RhoA-siRNA on RhoA protein expression was shown by Western blot.The proliferation,migration,growth potentiality and cell cycle of transfected HepG2 cells were evaluated by MTT assay,wounded healing,the plate cloning formation test and flow cytometry,respectively.All data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square test.Results The expression of RhoA protein in the HepG2/RhoA-siRNA group was,significantly decreased compared with that in the other two groups (F=178.19,P<0.05).Scratched cells were healed within 48 hours in the HepG2/control group and HepG2 group,but not in the HepG2/RhoA-siRNA group.The clone formation rates in the HepG2/RhoA-siRNA group,HepG2 group and HepG2/control group were 39%±3%,67%±5%and 70%±6%,respectively,with a significant difference among the three groups(χ2=33.34,38.69,P<0.05).Flow cytometry showed that the number of cells transfected with RhoA-siRNA was highest in the G0/G1 phase and lowest in the S phase(F=70.46,76.57.P<0.05).Conclusion The RhoA-siRNA expression vector can effectively suppress the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells,which may provide a novel gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.