Downregulation of AFP Protein Expression by RNAi Inhibits the Growth of AFP-Producing Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Line

Many studies have examined the biological activities of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); however, the modulatory role of AFP in neoplastic growth remains unclear. Three hairpin siRNA expressing plasmids (pSIREN-DNR-DsRed-Express Donor-Vector-AFP-siRNAl/2/3) were constructed and transfected into FU97(AFP-producing gastric adenocarcinoma cell line). At 48h after transfection, the silencing efficiency to AFP gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and immunoassays. The influence to FU97 on its growth and apoptosis after silencing the AFP gene were observed by MTT and flow cytometry. The results of RT-PCR and immunoassays showed that the plasmids could inhibit AFP mRNA and protein expression at 48h after transfection. The pSIREN-DNR-DsRed-Express Donor Vector-AFP-siRNAl was more effective than other two. These plasmids could obviously inhibit FU97 cell growth and promote FU97 cell apoptosis.