This study aimed to explore the effects of ras association domain family 1 A (RASSF1A) on proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cancer cell line Hela cells.

RASSF1A was cloned into the pcDNA3.1(+) vector to generate pcDNA3.1(+)-RASSF1A plasmid for transfection into Hela cells. Changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured Hela cells were examined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl- thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium chloride assay and flow cytometry. A protein array was used to analyze the expression of apoptotic factors.

Plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-RASSF1A was generated and transfected into Hela cells to stably express RASSF1A in Hela cells. RASSF1A transfection was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of Hela cells up to 52.4%, as compared to cells transfected with an empty plasmid. RASSF1A expression also successfully induced apoptosis in human cervical cells with an apoptosis rate of 20.5%. More importantly, protein array results showed that RASSF1 A transfection induced overexpression of p21 and caspase 8, while decreasing the expression of survivin in Hela cells.

RASSF1A expression was effective in suppressing the proliferation and increasing apoptosis of Hela cells, and may be a potential therapy for cervical cancer in clinic.