APOPTOSIS INDUCTION BY THE RECOMBINANT FUSION APOPTOSIS INDUCING FACTOR ON HELA CELLS

Objective: To obtain the recombinant fusion AIF genes inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector Pires2-EGFP, to observe the expression and location of the fusion AIF genes (3NE: PE(280-358)-AIFΔ1-120, and 4NE: PE(280-364)-AIFΔ1-120), and to detect and compare their apoptosis inducing effects on the transfected HeLa cells. Methods: Full-length human AIF gene was cloned by RT-PCR, and its N-terminal mitochondrial localization sequence (MLS) was replaced by part sequence of Psuedomonas exotoxin A (PE) translocation domain (PEII(280-358/364)), then the recombinant fusion genes were inserted into the Pires2-EGFP eukaryotic expression vector. After these genes were transiently transfected into HeLa cells with LipofectAmine, the expression of the recombinant fusion AIF genes and their effects on HeLa cells were detected by fluorescent microscopy, laser confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Results: The eukaryotic expression vectors containing the recombinant fusion AIF genes (Pires2-EGFP-PEII(280-358/364)- AIFΔ1- 120) were constructed successfully. It was demonstrated that the fusion AIF protein genes were expressed effectively in the transfected cells, with the GFP comco-expressed in cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining analysis. After transfection, expression of the genes could induce HeLa cells to exhibit the typical apoptosis features: such as plasma membrane blebbing and peripheral chromatin condensation. As compared with control groups, the untreated cells and the void vector transfected cells, the living cell number of the AIF gene transfected cells reduced distinctly. Conclusion: Our data prove that the expression of the recombinant human AIF fusion genes could induce apoptosis in transfected HeLa cells, which provides new strategy for cancer killing.