AIM:To investigate the regulative effect of miRNA(miR)-221 on colorectal carcinoma(CRC)cell radiosensitivity and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:A human CRC-derived cell line was cultured conventionally and exposed to different doses of X-rays(0,2,4,6 and 8 Gy).The total RNA and protein of the cells were extracted 24 h after irradiation,and the alteration of miR-221 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10(PTEN)gene mRNA expression was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein alteration of PTEN in the cells was detected by Western blotting.Caco2 cells were pretreated with or without anti-PTEN-siRNA prior to the addition of premiR-221 or anti-miR-221 using Lipofectamine 2000.Colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to measure the surviving cell fraction and the sensitizing enhancement ratio after irradiation.Ad-ditionally,PTEN 3′-untranslated region fragment was PCR amplified and inserted into a luciferase reporter plasmid.The luciferase reporter plasmid construct was then transfected into CRC cells together with premiR-221 or anti-miR-221,and the luciferase activity in the transfected cells was detected.RESULTS:The X-ray radiation dose had a significant effect on the expression of miR-221 and PTEN protein in human Caco2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The miR-221 expression level improved gradually with the increase in irradiation dose,while the PTEN protein expression level reduced gradually.miR-221 expression was significantly reduced in the anti-miR-221 group compared with the pre-miR-221 and negative control groups(P<0.01).Anti-miR-221 upregulated expression of PTEN protein and enhanced the radiosensitivity of Caco2 cells(P<0.01).Moreover,the inhibitory effect was dramatically abolished by pretreatment with anti-PTEN-siRNA,suggesting that the enhancement of radiosensitivity was indeed mediated by PTEN.A significant increase of luciferase activity was detected in CRC cells that were cotransfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid construct and anti-miR-221(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Anti-miR-221 can enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells by upregulating PTEN. AIM: To investigate the regulative effect of miRNA(miR)-221 on colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell radiosensitivity and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: A human CRC-derived cell line was cultured conventionally and exposed to different doses of X-rays (0 ,2,4,6 and 8 Gy).The total RNA and protein of the cells were extracted 24 h after irradiation,and the alteration of miR-221 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10(PTEN)gene mRNA expression was detected By real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein alteration of PTEN in the cells was detected by Western blotting.Caco2 cells were pretreated with or without anti-PTEN-siRNA prior to the addition of premiR-221 or anti- miR-221 using Lipofectamine 2000.Colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to measure the surviving cell fraction and the sensitizing enhancement ratio after irradiation.Ad-ditionally,PTEN 3′-untranslated region fragment was PCR amplified and inserted into a luc Iferase Reporter plasmid.The luciferase reporter plasmid construct was then transfected into CRC cells together with premiR-221 or anti-miR-221,and the luciferase activity in the transfected cells was detected.RESULTS:The X-ray radiation dose had a significant effect miR-221 and PTEN protein in human Caco2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The miR-221 expression level improved gradually with the increase in irradiation dose, while the PTEN protein expression level reduced gradually.miR-221 expression was Significantly reduced in the anti-miR-221 group compared with the pre-miR-221 and negative control groups (P<0.01). Anti-miR-221 upregulated expression of PTEN protein and enhanced the radiosensitivity of Caco2 cells (P<0.01) .Moreover, the inhibitory effect was dramatically abolished by pretreatment with anti-PTEN-siRNA, suggesting the enhancement of radiosensitivity was indeed mediated by PTEN.A significant increase of luciferase activity was detected in CRC cells t Hat were cotransfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid construct and anti-miR-221 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Anti-miR-221 can enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells by upregulating PTEN.