OBJECTIVERNA interference was used to silence geranylgeranyltransferase Ⅰ(GGTase-Ⅰ) in vitro and to study the effect of GGTase-Ⅰ on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cancer cells.

METHODSThree small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were designed according to the GGTase-Ⅰ sequence by Genebank and were transfected into tongue squamous cancer cells Cal-27 to knock down GGTase-Ⅰ expression. The tested cells were divided into three groups, as follows: the RNA-interfered groups (GGTase-Ⅰ siRNA1, GGTase-Ⅰ siRNA 2, GGTase-Ⅰ siRNA 3), a negative control group (disrupted by random sequence NC-siRNA), and a blank control group. GGTase-Ⅰ and RhoA gene expressions were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The optimum interference group was screened by qRT-PCR and Western blot and was assigned as the experimental group. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 protein expressions were examined by Western blot. GTP-RhoA expression of protein was examined by GST-pull down. The migration and invasion abilities were analyzed by wound healing assay and Transwell motility assay.

RESULTSGGTase-Ⅰ mRNA and protein expression in Cal-27 decreased significantly after transfection of GGTase-I siRNA (P<0.05). No significant difference of RhoA gene expression was detected. MMP-2, MMP-9, and GTP-RhoA protein expressions decreased significantly (P<0.05). The migration and invasion abilities were inhibited (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTo inhibit GGTase-Ⅰ expression, the migration and invasion abilities of tongue squamous cancer cells should also be inhibited. Further studies on GGTase-Ⅰ may provide novel effective molecular targets for tongue squamous cancer cells.