Knockdown of sal-like 4 expression by small interfering RNA induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancers worldwide and causes a significant amount of deaths annually. Spalt-like transcription factor 4 is known as a transcription factor, which has an important role in the proliferation of cancerous cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a short-chain molecule of 20 to 25 nucleotides that protrude on two sides of the 3', two nucleotides. In this study, using a specific sequence of siRNA against the sequence of this gene, its activity is investigated in the cell line of breast cancer. The breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were cultured and then, using a specific anti-sal-like 4 (SALL4) siRNA, their toxic doses were determined. Then, the gene is transfected into the cell. Proliferation and expression of the SALL4 and BCL-2 gene were measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The specific concentration of siRNA IC50 of the SALL4 gene was 40.35 nmole. Gene expression results indicated that the expression of the Bcl-2 gene in the siRNA group was significantly reduced ( P < 0.05). SiRNA can increase the apoptosis of breast cancer cells by reducing the gene expression of SALL4 gene and Bcl-2; it can be used as a novel targeted therapy. This strategy, in addition to increasing the specificity of the drug, also reduces the side effects when compared with conventional chemotherapy.