BACKGROUND: The proto-oncogene pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) is described as abundantly over-expressed in a variety of neoplasms with impact on neovascularization and tumor invasiveness. Based on these findings, we raised the question as to whether PTTG is a target for an anti-tumor therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the impact of PTTG depletion on the human cervical cancer cell line HELA-S3, we used antisense-oligodesoxynucleotides (antisense-ODNs) and subjected them to in vitro transfection experiments. The PTTG mRNA level was determined by RT-PCR (45 cycles) and PTTG protein levels were determined by Western blot experiments. The impact of PTTG depletion on cell growth was determined 24, 48 and 72 hours post transfection by the trypan blue exclusion method. RESULTS: We found an antisense-ODN effective in down-regulation of PTTG mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, transfection resulted in a significant growth inhibitory effect as well as an increased level of apoptotic figures. CONCLUSION: Our studies revealed an anti-tumor potential for this target in cancer therapy.
