OBJECTIVETo prepare small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting survivin for inhibition of endogenous survivin gene expression in Hela cell line and evaluate its effect on promoting Hela cell apoptosis.

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pshRNA-survivin-1 and pshRNA-survivin-2 were constructed and transfected into Hela cells, in which the expression level of survivin was determined by immunofluorescence staining and survivin gene transcription detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSIntroduction of the plasmids pshRNA-survivin-1 and pshRNA-survivin-2 into Hela cells resulted in efficient and specific inhibition of survivin expression as demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that mRNA transcription of survivin gene was reduced. In contrast, the control plasmid did not exhibit any inhibitory effect on the protein expression and mRNA transcription of survivin gene. PI-Annexin V staining indicated an apoptosis rate of the transfected Hela cells of (36.02-/+2.12)% (P<0.01) and (35.29-/+2.02)% (P<0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe prepared siRNA targeting survivin gene is capable of inducing marked inhibitions of survivin protein expression and RNA transcription and significant enhancement of apoptosis in Hela cells, which shed light on a new strategy in gene silence therapy targeting survivin.