Mechanisms Underlying the Altered Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of Endometrial Carcinoma Cells via Small Interfering RNA Specific Snail-1 Transcription Factor in HEC-1A Cells

Snail-1 is a transcription factor that play a role in the regulation of invasion, and metastasis of malignant cells via modulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Here in the current investigation, we knocked down the expression of Snail-1 through small interference RNA (siRNA) in Endometrial carcinoma (EC) associating cell line, namely HEC-1A, and then assessed the migration and proliferation of the transfected cells. We exerted Snail-1 specific siRNA to transfect the HEC-1A cells. Using quantitative Real-time PCR, the mRNA expression levels of Snail-1, MMP-9, Vimentin, and E-cadherin as well as expression level of miR-34a were measured. In addition, western blotting was carried out to determine the protein level of Snail-1. Using MTT and migration assay, the ability of transfected HEC-1A cells in proliferation and migration was evaluated. Snail-1 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased after transfection of HEC-1A cells. As well transfection caused decreased expression of MMP-9 and vimentin, while the expressions of E-cadherin and miR-34a were increased. Transfection of HEC-1A cells resulted in promoted apoptosis rate and reduced migration ability. EMT of EC tumor cells is partially under the impression of Snail-1, which alters the apoptosis and metastasis of these cells. As a consequence, silencing Snail-1 by siRNA may suggest a potentially promising tool in the EC therapy.