RACK1 Silencing Induces Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits Cell Proliferation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma MHCC97-H Cells

This study aimed to explore the effects of RACK1 gene silencing on the apoptosis and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) MHCC97-H cells. After transfecting MHCC97-H cells with siRNA, RACK1 gene silencing model was established. The cells were divided into blank group, siRNA group and empty plasmid group, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of RACK1, cyclin D1 and BAX were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and FITC-Annexin V/PI staining were used to determine cell viability, cell cycle and cell apoptosis, respectively. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blotting suggested that when compared with the blank group and the empty plasmid group, the mRNA and protein expressions of RACK1 and Cyclin D1 decreased significantly while the mRNA and protein BAX expressions increased substantially in the siRNA group (all P < 0.05). The results of CCK-8 assay revealed that the siRNA group exhibited significantly lower cell viability when compared with the blank group and the empty plasmid group (both P < 0.05); and the cell viability in the siRNA group decreased gradually with the increase of time. The results of flow cytometry and FITC-Annexin V/PI staining indicated that when compared with the blank group and the empty plasmid group, the proportion of cells in S phase was markedly lower and the apoptosis rate was significantly higher in the siRNA group (both P < 0.05). Our study suggests that inhibition of RACK1 could suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HCC MHCC97-H cells.