Abstract: Objective To study the effect of siRNA targeting survivin gene on the apoptosis of malignant melanoma cell line A375. Methods The eucaryotic expression vector of pU-survivin-siRNA was constructed and transfected into the A375 cells by electroporation. The protein expression of survivin was examined by Western blotting, and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. Results The transfection of pU-sur-vivin-siRNA significantly down-regulated survivin expression (0.24±0.02 in the transfected group versus 0.98±0.21 in the control group) in A375 cells, and promoted cell apoptosis (83% in the transfected group versus 28% in the control group, P<0.05). Conclusion The siRNA targeting survivin gene could specially suppress survivin gene expression and induce apoptosis of A375 cells, which may provide an additional option for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Key words: Melanoma, RNA, small interfering, Apoptosis, Survivin