Gold nanoparticle-siRNA mediated oncogene knockdown at RNA and protein level, with associated gene effects

• Published in: Nanomedicine (London, England) Vol. 10; no. 16; pp. 2513 - 2525
• Main Authors: Child, Hannah Winifred, Hernandez, Yulán, Conde, João, Mullin, Margaret, Baptista, Pedro, de la Fuente, Jesus Maria, Berry, Catherine Cecilia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Future Medicine Ltd 01.08.2015
• Subjects: apoptosis; c-myc; cell cycle; cell delivery; cell proliferation; gene knockdown; gold nanoparticles; knockdown; nanoparticles; off-target effects; proliferation; RNAi; siRNA
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.15.95
• ISSN: 1743-5889

: RNAi is a powerful tool for gene silencing that can be used to reduce undesirable overexpression of oncogenes as a novel form of cancer treatment. However, when using RNAi as a therapeutic tool there is potential for associated gene effects. This study aimed to utilize gold nanoparticles to deliver siRNA into HeLa cells. : Knockdown of the c-myc oncogene by RNAi, at the RNA, protein and cell proliferation level was achieved, while also identifying associated gene responses. : The gold nanoparticles used in this study present an excellent delivery platform for siRNA, but do note associated gene changes. : The study highlights the need to more widely assess the cell physiological response to RNAi treatment, rather than focus on the immediate RNA levels.