Knockdown of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha increased apoptosis of human endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells

BACKGROUND Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) coactivates multiple transcription factors and regulates several metabolic processes. In this study, we focused on the roles of PGC-1α in the apoptosis of endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS PGC-1a expression in the HEC-1A cells was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Small interfering RNA directed against PGC-1α was designed and synthesized, and RNA interference technology was used to knock down PGC-1α mRNA and protein expression. Cell apoptosis, cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential were then analyzed using flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax, was detected with Western blot. RESULTS The specific downregulation of PGC-1α expression in the HEC-1A cells increased their apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by reducing the expression of Bcl-2 and increasing the expression of Bax. CONCLUSION These results suggest that PGC-1α influences the apoptosis of HEC-1A cells and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation of the apoptotic mechanism in human endometrial cancer.