PME-1 as a biomarker to predict and diagnose an increased risk of endometrial cancer and gene silencing of PME-1 to inhibit epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Disclosed are methods of attenuating activity of the PME-1 gene. siRNAs or shRNAs are used to target against PME-1, thereby reducing the PME-1 mRNA. It is disclosed that the siRNAs or shRNAs targeted against PME-1 attenuate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, thereby inhibit endometrial cancer development. A kit containing siRNA or shRNA reagents for attenuating the PME-1 gene expression is also disclosed.
1. A method of inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition of an endometrial cell, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an endometrial cell
(b) providing a RNAi targeted against PME-1 gene, said RNAi hybridizes to a target sequence of PME-1 mRNA, wherein said RNAi is at least one RNAi selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 5 and 7;
(c) exposing said endometrial cell to said RNAi, thereby decreasing PME-1 mRNA expression level,
wherein said RNAi inhibits said epithelial to mesenchymal transition as evidenced by at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of reduced E-cadherin expression, reduced vimentin expression and reduced foci formation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RNAi is a siRNA.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said RNAi is a shRNA.
4. A method for inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in endometrial cells of a woman suspected of suffering from endometrial cancer, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a RNAi targeted against PME-1 gene to said woman, whereby said RNAi inhibits PME-1 mRNA expression so as to inhibit epithelial to mesenchymal transition in endometrial cells.