We investigated the importance of HMGN5, a nuclear protein that binds to nucleosomes, unfolds chromatin, and affects transcription, in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. We also examined the molecular mechanisms that promote apoptosis of LNCaP cells after infection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HMGN5 (siRNA-HMGN5). The androgen-dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cells were infected with siRNA-HMGN5. Apoptosis was detected using the Annexin V-PE/7-AAD double staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 staining. HMGN5 and GAPDH mRNA expression were determined using real-time PCR. Bcl-2 and other apoptosis-related protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was measured by cleavage of the caspase substrate. Infection with siRNA targeting HMGN5 efficiently and specifically reduced the HMGN5 expression in LNCaP cells. The downregulation of HMGN5 induced remarkable apoptosis of LNCaP cells and resulted in the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. The induction of cell apoptosis was accompanied by the upregulation of Bax, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the activation of caspase3. The HMGN5-targeted siRNA was effective in downregulating the expression of HMGN5 in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells and inducing cell apoptosis via the regulation of a caspase-related mitochondrial pathway and Bcl-2 family proteins. This study suggests that HMGN5 may be a potential molecular target with therapeutic relevance for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Keywords: apoptosis; HMGN5; mitochondrial pathway; prostate cancer; siRNA

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