The study of the expressions of apoptosis and its related protein by knockdown of human immunodeficiency virus-1 vpr gene

Objective To observe the expression of apoptosis related protein c-inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)2 by RNA interference of human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)vpr gene and analyze the apoptosis of Jurkat cells. Methods Vector (NC), HIV-1vpr (vpr), vpr+ pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-vpr-56(Si56) and vpr+ pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-vpr-160 (Si160) were transfected to Jurkat cells and cultured for 48 hours. The total RNA and protein were extracted. Expression of vpr gene was detected by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm the success of transfection. Expression of c-IAP2 was detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. The apoptosis of Jurkat cells was observed by flow cytometry. Results Expression of vpr gene was detected in vpr, Si56 and Si160 groups. The mRNA expression levels in Si56 and Si160 groups were significantly lower than that in vpr group, which declined 87.2% and 82.2%, respectively (P 0.05). Compared to vpr group, the apoptotic rates in Si56 and Si160 were significantly decreased by 19.26% and 18.05%, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions The expression of c-IAP2 could be downregulated by knockdown of HIV-1 vpr gene in transcription and protein levels, and the apoptosis of Jurkat cells is inhibited. Key words: HIV-1; Apoptosis; RNA interference; HIV-1vpr; c-IAP2