Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) against the Bcl-2 Gene Increases Apoptosis in a Canine Melanoma Cell Line

The effects of down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression, by small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the canine Bcl-2 genes, on apoptosis were investigated by transfecting MCM-N1 (canine malignant oral melanoma cell line) cells with siRNA using cationic liposomes. The siRNA against the canine Bcl-2 genes increased the number of apoptotic cells. In addition, sequence-specific down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression was measured by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The siRNA directed against these genes reduced both mRNA and protein expression in the MCM-N1 cells. Our study suggests the importance of Bcl-2 in canine melanoma tumors for inducing apoptosis and reinforces using Bcl-2 as a putative therapeutic target in canine malignant melanoma tumor.