To investigate the effects of RNA interference-mediated downregulation of Human Solute Carrier Family 35 member F2 (SLC35F2) expression on the biological behavior of lung cancer H1299 cells.

The lentiviral vector of small interfering RNA targeting SLC35F2 was introduced into H1299 cells by liposome-mediated transfection. Expression of the SLC35F2 protein was measured by western blot. The proliferation of H1299 cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The migration of H1299 cells was measured by Transwell migration assay. Cell cycle analysis used fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

SLC35F2 expression was markedly downregulated in H1299 cell clone (transfected with the lentiviral vector harboring small interfering RNA targeting SLC35F2). Proliferation decreased significantly compared with that of non-transfected H1299 cells. Transwell migration assay showed that fewer cells moved through the artificial basement membrane compared with untransfected H1299 cells (38.3 +/- 5.7 vs. 113.5 +/- 8.5, P < 0.05). The cell cycle of H1299 cells was changed, the percentage of H1299 cells in S and G2/M phases being significantly decreased compared with untransfected H1299 cells (S phase: 15.3% +/- 3.0% vs. 27.0% +/- 5.4%, P > 0.05; G2/M phase; 3.0% +/- 1.1% vs. 10.5% +/- 1.7%, P < 0.05), whereas the percentage of H1299 cells in G0/G1 phase increased markedly (81.7% +/- 4.0% vs. 62.5% +/- 1.9%, P < 0.05).

RNA interference-mediated downregulation of SLC35F2 expression by lentiviral vector can attenuate the proliferation, migration and invasion of H1299 cells.