RNA Interference-mediated Silencing of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3, Subunit B (EIF3B) Gene Expression Inhibits Proliferation of Colon Cancer Cells

Background: A key factor underlying the control of the cellular growth, size and proliferation involves the regulation of the total protein synthesis. Most often, the initial stages of mRNA translation are rate limiting, which involves a group of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (EIFs). Research advances focused on the inhibition of their expression and activity hold the key to the initiation and progression of tumor and tumor prognosis.

Method: We performed RNA interference (RNAi) with the lentivirus vector system to silence the EIF3B gene using the colon cancer cell strain SW1116. The negative control included the normal target cells infected with the negative control virus whereas the knockdown cells included the normal target cells transfected with the RNAi target virus. We tested the inhibition resulting from the decreased expression of EIF3B gene on the proliferation rate of SW1116 cells, including the cell cycle, apoptosis and clonability.

Results: Compared with the negative control, the impact of EIF3B gene expression in SW1116 cells on the levels of mRNA and protein in the knockdown group, was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the cell proliferation rate and clonability were also significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). The apoptosis rate increased significantly (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in the number of cells in the G1 phase (P < 0.01) and significant increases in S (P < 0.01) and G2 phases (P < 0.05) were observed.

Conclusions: The silencing of EIF3B gene expression inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells.