Identification of effective siRNA against K-ras in human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2 by siRNA expression cassette

AIM: We shall construct the small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression cassette (SEC) targeting activated K-ras gene sequence, identify more effective siRNA sequence against K-ras gene in human pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2 by SEC and reveal the anti-cancer effects of RNA interference (RNAi) and its therapeutic possibilities. METHODS: Three different sites of SECs were constructed by PCR. K1/siRNA, K2/siRNA and K3/siRNA are located at sites 194, 491 and 327, respectively. They were transfected into MiaPaCa-2 cells by liposome to inhibit the expression of activated K-ras. In the interfering groups of sites 194 and 491, we detected the apoptosis in cells by FACS after they were incubated for 48 h, then we tested the alternation of K-ras gene in MiaPaCa-2 cells by RT-PCR immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: Introduction of the K1/siRNA and K2/siRNA against K-ras into MiaPaCa-2 cells leads to increased apoptosis, and the number of apoptotic cells is increased compared with control cells. The tests of RT-PCR immunofluorescence show the effects of inhibiting expression of activated K-ras gene by RNA interference in the K1/siRNA and K2/siRNA groups. We also find that the introduction of K3/siRNA has no effect on MiaPaCa-2 cells. CONCLUSION: K1/siRNA and K2/siRNA can inhibit the expression of activated K-ras but K3/siRNA has no effect, demonstrating that K1/siRNA and K2/siRNA are effective sequences against K-ras gene and K3/siRNA are not. We conclude that specific siRNA against K-ras expression may be a powerful tool to be used therapeutically against human pancreatic cancer.