Regulation of β1 integrin expression in endothelial cells by chimeric tRNAVal ribozyme

To downregulate expression of the β1 integrin subunit in endothelial cells, plasmid encoding the ribozyme cassette containing hammerhead ribozyme flanked at the 5' terminus by tRNAVal and at the 3' terminus by constitutive transport element sequences was constructed. When used to transfect immortalized human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926, it selectively blocked the synthesis of the β1 integrin subunit and thus inhibited migration and proliferation of the cells. Thus, this construct may be a valuable tool to control the proangiogenic phenotype of stimulated endothelial cells.