Effect of hypoixa inducible factor-1α on RUNX3 gene expression of BxPC-3 cells under hypoxia

Objective To observe the expression of hypoixa inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and RUNX3 gene in BxPC-3 cells under hypoxia in vitro,and explore the regulation of RUNX3 gene expression by HIF-1α.Methods CoCl2 was used as a chemical hypoxia-inducible reagent to mimic tumor hypoxic microenvironment.RUNX3 mRNA and protein expression was detected.The BxPC-3 cells were transfected with RNA interference (RNAi) originated by small interference RNA (siRNA).The change of RUNX3 gene expression was observed after HIF-1α gene silencing.Results Under hypoxia for 24 h,RUNX3 in BxPC-3 cells was increased in mRNA and protein levels (P ＜0.01 ).After siRNA transfection,the HIF-1α was down-regulated efficiently in BxPC-3 cells ( inhibition ratio:90％ ),and RUNX3 gene was down-regulated as well.Conclusion Hypoxia can increase protein level of HIF-1α in BxPC-3 cells.HIF-1α up-regulates the gene expression of RUNX3 under hypoxia. Key words: RUNX3; Hypoixa inducible factor-1α; RNA interference; Pancreatic carcinoma; Hypoxia