[Construction of shRNA expression vectors for autophagy gene Beclin 1 and effect of the vectors on transfected HeLa cells in vitro].

Objective: Autophagy gene Beclin 1 plays an important role in several types of human cancer. In this study, RNA interference (RNAi) technique was employed to determine the effect of inhibiting Beclin 1 on the growth of tumor cells.

Methods: According to the encoding sequence of mRNA of Beclin 1, the target site for the RNAi technique was designed and the vector for shRNA (short hairpin RNA) expression in tumor cells was constructed. The HeLa cell line was transfected with the sfRNA to inhibit the expression of Beclin 1.

Results: The constructed vector significantly inhibited the expression of the mRNA and protein of Beclin 1 in the HeLa cells. The growth of the transfected cells was promoted, and less apoptosis cells were identified in these cells.

Conclusions: The shRNA expression vector can effectively inhibit the expression of Beclin 1 in the HeLa cells, and promote the growth of HeLa cells.