Multi-target siRNA based on DNMT3A/B homologous conserved region influences cell cycle and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cell line TSU-PR1

abnormal genome hypermethylation participates in the tumorigenesis and development of prostate cancer. prostate cancer cells highly express dna methyltransferase 3 (dmnt3) family genes, essential for maintaining genome methylation. in the present study, multi-target sirna, based on the homologous region of the dnmt3 family, was designed for the in vitro investigation of its effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tsu-pr1 prostate cancer cells. the consequential cell-cycle derangement, through dnmt3a/b or only dnmt3b silencing, was partially efficient, without affecting apoptosis. dnmt3a silencing had absolutely no effect on changing tsu-pr1 cell biological behavior. hence, dnmt3b alone apparently plays a key role in maintaining the unfavorable behavior of prostate-cancer cells, thereby implying its potential significance as a promising therapeutic target, with dnmt3a simply in the role of helper.