Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior

BackgroundInvestigated within the endometrial carcinoma (EC) context, Snail-1 emerges as a pivotal transcription factor governing invasion and metastasis by orchestrating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence Snail-1 expression in the HEC-1A c...

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Main Authors: Feng Li, Yuanyuan Zhi, Yinghui Wang, Shaik Althaf Hussain, Turki Mayudh Alrubie, Ping Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1567493/full
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author Feng Li
Yuanyuan Zhi
Yinghui Wang
Shaik Althaf Hussain
Turki Mayudh Alrubie
Ping Yang
author_facet Feng Li
Yuanyuan Zhi
Yinghui Wang
Shaik Althaf Hussain
Turki Mayudh Alrubie
Ping Yang
author_sort Feng Li
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundInvestigated within the endometrial carcinoma (EC) context, Snail-1 emerges as a pivotal transcription factor governing invasion and metastasis by orchestrating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence Snail-1 expression in the HEC-1A cell line, this study explored the repercussions on the expression of genes implicated in metastasis, cellular cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and migration.MethodsHEC-1A cells were transfected with Snail-1-specific siRNA. Quantitative Real-time PCR was utilized to quantify the mRNA levels of Snail-1, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Vimentin, E-cadherin, Notch1, ERK, AKT, and miR-34a. Western blot analysis was also performed to ascertain alterations in Snail-1, MMP-9, Vimentin, E-cadherin, and Notch1 protein levels. Cytotoxicity of transfected cells was assessed via the MTT assay, while flow cytometry was employed to measure apoptosis. Migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay.ResultsTransfection with 60 pmol/mL of Snail-1-specific siRNA significantly reduced Snail-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. This was accompanied by decreased MMP-9, Vimentin, and Notch1 expression and increased E-cadherin expression, all confirmed at both transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed a downregulation of ERK and AKT mRNA levels and an upregulation of miR-34a. Moreover, transfection correlated with increased apoptosis and decreased migration of treated HEC-1A cells.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the significant influence of Snail-1 on EMT in EC cells, thereby impacting apoptosis and metastasis. Targeted silencing of Snail-1 through specific siRNA emerges as a promising therapeutic approach in treating EC.
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spelling doaj-art-31ec13034fc74eaeb5c061fc96c8b6bb2025-08-20T02:33:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15674931567493Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behaviorFeng Li0Yuanyuan Zhi1Yinghui Wang2Shaik Althaf Hussain3Turki Mayudh Alrubie4Ping Yang5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xi’an Third Hospital, Xi’an, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Gynecology, The People’s Hospital of Laoling, Dezhou, ChinaDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaBackgroundInvestigated within the endometrial carcinoma (EC) context, Snail-1 emerges as a pivotal transcription factor governing invasion and metastasis by orchestrating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence Snail-1 expression in the HEC-1A cell line, this study explored the repercussions on the expression of genes implicated in metastasis, cellular cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and migration.MethodsHEC-1A cells were transfected with Snail-1-specific siRNA. Quantitative Real-time PCR was utilized to quantify the mRNA levels of Snail-1, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Vimentin, E-cadherin, Notch1, ERK, AKT, and miR-34a. Western blot analysis was also performed to ascertain alterations in Snail-1, MMP-9, Vimentin, E-cadherin, and Notch1 protein levels. Cytotoxicity of transfected cells was assessed via the MTT assay, while flow cytometry was employed to measure apoptosis. Migration was evaluated using a wound healing assay.ResultsTransfection with 60 pmol/mL of Snail-1-specific siRNA significantly reduced Snail-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. This was accompanied by decreased MMP-9, Vimentin, and Notch1 expression and increased E-cadherin expression, all confirmed at both transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed a downregulation of ERK and AKT mRNA levels and an upregulation of miR-34a. Moreover, transfection correlated with increased apoptosis and decreased migration of treated HEC-1A cells.ConclusionThe study emphasizes the significant influence of Snail-1 on EMT in EC cells, thereby impacting apoptosis and metastasis. Targeted silencing of Snail-1 through specific siRNA emerges as a promising therapeutic approach in treating EC.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1567493/fullendometrial carcinomaSnail-1siRNAmetastasistreating
spellingShingle Feng Li
Yuanyuan Zhi
Yinghui Wang
Shaik Althaf Hussain
Turki Mayudh Alrubie
Ping Yang
Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
Frontiers in Oncology
endometrial carcinoma
Snail-1
siRNA
metastasis
treating
title Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
title_full Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
title_fullStr Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
title_short Unveiling the intricacies: small interfering RNA targeting Snail-1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
title_sort unveiling the intricacies small interfering rna targeting snail 1 unravels dynamics in endometrial carcinoma cell behavior
topic endometrial carcinoma
Snail-1
siRNA
metastasis
treating
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1567493/full
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