Cloning of anti-tumor human gene SMARCB1/INI1 for the treatment of rhabdoid tumors

Abstract

Rhabdoid tumors are malignant tumors found in the kidneys and other soft tissues of adolescents, with the average age of diagnosis between 15 and 24 months. Currently, patients diagnosed with rhabdoid tumors are treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These patients face a survival rate below 25%. The mutations of the SMARCB1/INI1 gene have been found in the majority of rhabdoid tumors including the atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT). The SMARCB1/INI1 protein has the potential to be developed as a tumor suppressing protein-based drug for the treatment of childhood rhabdoid tumors. To test this, we cloned the SMARCB1/INI1 gene from the human genome into a protein expression vector (pET28a). The recombinant human SMARCB1/INI1 protein will be isolated from E.coli cells using Ni-NTA resin-based chromatography and the anti-tumor activity of purified human SMARCB1/INI1 protein will be analyzed in tumor cell culture in vitro in future study.