OBJECTIVETo construct the Gcn5 shRNA plasmids and to explore the Gcn5 shRNA role in histone acetylation modification with the differentiation of stem cells.

METHODSSeven shRNA fragments were recombined into pGenesil-1 vector to form 7. Gcn5 shRNA constructions. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induced for two weeks with 5-aza were transfected by the plasmids with lipofectamine2000. Polyclonal antibodies labeled with TRITC were used to identify the acetylation in MSCs with or without Gcn5 shRNA constructions. The efficiencies of transfection and RNAi were calculated based on the ratio of GFP (green fluorescence)/DAPI (blue fluorescence) and TRITC (red fluorescence)/DAPI, respectively.

RESULTSSeven Gcn5 shRNA plasmids or constructions were identified by restriction endonucleases Pst I/Sal I and DNA sequencing. Acetylation block was observed after Gcn5 shRNA plasmids transfected into cells. Fluorescent intensity of TRITC in nucleuses were decreased remarkably, or even disappeared in MSCs. The efficiencies of transfection and RNAi were 93.7% and 46.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe Gcn5 shRNA plasmids constructed in the present study can decrease the histone acetylation during cell differentiation. It sets the basis for further exploring the role of acetylation in the regulation of cell differentiation.