Effect of Bcl-xL gene expression silenced by RNA interference on invasion of human colorectal cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of Bcl-xL gene on the invasive capacity of human colon cancer cells. Methods: HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cell line was transfected by small interfering RNA (siRNA) of Bcl-xL gene. Quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the transfection, and soft agar colony culture experiments and Boyden chamber model test were used for cancer cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the protein changes of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in cancer cells. Results: Compared with the control group, the number of soft agar colonies and the number of penetrating membrane cells significantly reduced in the siRNA transfection group, and had dose-dependent characteristics; the uPA protein decreased significantly in the siRNA transfected cells. Conclusion: Bcl-xL gene may play an important role in the invasion of colon cancer cells, and the mechanism may be related to regulation of uPA expression.