Targeting JNK-1 with Small Interfering RNA: Induction of Apoptotic Pathways in PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells | Chapter 5 | Research Perspectives of Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 9

Jun-N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1) has been implicated in the transformation of primary fibroblasts and the regulation of tumor cell growth. Emerging evidence suggests that JNK-1 functions as a growth-promoting factor in prostate cancer cells, making it a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we utilized small interfering RNA (siRNA) to selectively suppress JNK-1 expression in the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. The targeted siRNA effectively reduced JNK-1 levels, leading to alterations in the expression of key apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory proteins, including p21, XIAP, and Bcl-2, while VEGF expression remained unaffected. In contrast, a control scramble siRNA did not impact the expression of these proteins. The silencing of JNK-1 was confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels via RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Functional assays revealed significant inhibition of cell proliferation, with apoptosis induction validated through flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation, and caspase activity assays. Notably, siRNA-mediated downregulation of JNK-1 led to a cell death rate of 52%, an apoptotic rate of 26%, and a viability rate of 22% after five days of treatment. These findings highlight the potential of JNK-1-targeting siRNA as a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer. Further research is warranted to explore its clinical applicability.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Eduardo Parra
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saucache Campus, University of Tarapacá, Ave. Senator Luis Valente Rossi-2223, Arica, Chile.

 

Víctor Rojas
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saucache Campus, University of Tarapacá, Ave. Senator Luis Valente Rossi-2223, Arica, Chile and Doctorate Program in Translational Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Catholic University of Maule, 3480112, Talca, Chile.

 

Pedro Hecht
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saucache Campus, University of Tarapacá, Ave. Senator Luis Valente Rossi-2223, Arica, Chile.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpmab/v9/3718