The mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 in the sh-Beclin1-BPH-1 group were significantly lower than those in the BPH-1 group (Figs. 1 and 2) (p < 0.001), suggesting that transfection of sh-Beclin1 can effectively silence Beclin-1 expression in BPH-1 cells. Here, BECN1 is linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia.