Silencing ferrochelatase in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231

Aim was to identify novel targets of protoporphyrin-IX (PpIX) after silencing Ferrochelatase (FECH) enzyme. PpIX is a light sensitive metabolite of heme synthesis. Generation of PpIX is increased if FECH activity is suppressed. Here, silencing of FECH leads to down-regulation of PpIX, measured by a decrease of PpIX-specific fluorescence. PpIX is a photosensitizer used for photodynamic treatment of various carcinomas. Increasing PpIX leads to apoptosis of tumor cells. Breast cancer cells were treated in four different ways: A) No treatment group; B) No siRNA, only 0.1mM 5-ALA; C) 15nM FECH siRNA + 0.1mM 5-ALA; D) 15nM Allstar control siRNA + 0.1mM 5-ALA.