Transcription Factor AP-2 Inhibits Survivin Expression

To elucidate the impacts of member of transcription factor AP-2(alpha,beta or y) on survivin gene expression in cancer cells and to provide a theoretical base for targeted suppression of survivin gene in tumor cells, the survivin core promoter pLuc- 230 and one of AP-2 member expression vectors (alpha,beta or y ) or control empty vector were cotransfected into Hela cells to detect the impacts of AP-2 on the activity of survivin core promoter. Then, the regulation of survivin expression by AP-2 was detected with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot after transfection for 48 hours. It was shown that AP-2(alpha or y) could significantly inhibit the activity of survivin core promoter in Hela cells (p<0.05) while AP-2beta did not show such difference. In addition, AP-2 also partly inhibited survivin expression at the transcription level and translation levels in cancer cells. Thus, Inhibition of survivin expression in Hela cells by AP-2 may open up a new approach for effective regulation of survivin gene and provide a potential base for survivin-targeted cancer therapy.