OBJECTIVETo construct a retrovirus-mediated expression system carrying human SHP-1 gene to transfer SHP-1 gene in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODSThe full-length SHP-1 gene fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA extracted from human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 over-expressing SHP-1 protein. The gene fragment was inserted into the vector pLNCX2 to construct the recombinant retroviral plasmid, which was transfected into the packaging cell PT67 via Lipofectamine2000. A cell line stably producing the virus was selected with G418. MDA-MB-231 cells was infected with the virus, and the expression of SHP-1 gene in the positive cell clone was detected with Western blotting.

RESULTSA 1.8 kb cDNA fragment of SHP-1 gene was obtained from MCF-7 cells and successfully inserted into the pLNCX2. A stable cell clone PT67/SHP-1 and virus supernatant were obtained. Expression of SHP-1 protein was detected in the cells infected with the virus.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant retroviral vector carrying SHP-1 gene has been successfully constructed and MDA- MB-231/SHP-1 cell line expressing SHP-1 has been obtained to allow further functional study of SHP-1 in breast cancer.