Detection of Telomerase Activity and the Expression of Telomerase Subunits in the Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits (for example, telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase associated protein 1 and telomerase RNA component) of peripheral white blood cells were detected in the patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) and the correlation between telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits was observed. In 94 peripheral white blood cells from 18 healthy volunteers and 76 patients with AML, including 31 AML at initial presentation, 24 at relapse and 21 at complete remission, the telomerase activity and telomerase subunits mRNA or RNA were detected by PCR ELISA and RT PCR respectively. The results showed that the positive rate of telomerase from patients with AML at initial presentation, at relapse and at complete remission was 74.1 %, 79.2 % and 4.8 % respectively. The positive rate of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA from healthy volunteers, AML at initial presentation, AML at relapse and AML at complete remission was 5.6 %, 80.6 %, 83.3 % and 9.5 % respectively. The positive rate of telomerase associated protein 1 mRNA and telomerase RNA component in all samples were 100 %. It was suggested that the up regulation of telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase is correlated closely with the occurrence and relapse of AML, so telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase may be used to estimate the curative effect and predict relapse of AML. Moreover, the up regulation of telomerase activity is correlated with the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase significantly.

Trichostatin A Induces Apoptosis by Inhibiting Telomerase Activity and Expression of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase in HL-60 Cells

Aim To investigate the effects of trichostatin A （TSA） on telomerase activity and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase （hTERT） during apoptosis in vitro and the mechanisms in HL-60 cells. Methods The proliferative activity of HL-60 cells was assessed by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Telomerase activity was examined by TRAP-ELISA. The expression of telomerase subunits was analyzed by RT-PCR. Results A time- and dose-dependent inhibition was detected in HL-60 cells treated with TSA. After treatment with 600 nmol· L^-1 TSA for 48 h, the apoptosis rate in HL-60 cells was 42. 6% and telomerase activity decreased 1.95 ± 0.25, 1.73 ± 0. 12, and 1.52 ± 0. 09 for 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The expression of hTERTmRNA decreased. No significant changes were observed in the expression of hTRmRNA and hTPI mRNA. Condusion TSA inhibits telomerase activity and induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells. The underlying mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of hTERT transcription.

Inhibition of Cell Growth and Telomerase Activity in Osteosarcoma Cells by DN-hTERT

In order to study the effects of dominant negative human telomerase reverse transcriptase （DN-hTERT） on cell growth and telomerase activity in osteosarcoma cell line MG63, MG63 cells were transfected with DN-hTERT-IRES2-EGFP9 （DN） or IRES2-EGF （I, blank vector） with lipofectamine 2000. The stably transfected cells were selected with G-418. Cell growth properties were examined under a fluorescence microscope. The hTERT mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Telomerase activities were measured by TRAP-ELISE. The tumorigenicity was studied with tumor xenografts by subcutaneous injection of cancer cells into nude mice. The results showed that cell growth was suppressed in MG63 cells transfected with DN-hTERT. The hTERT mRNA was increased in N-hTERT transfected-MG63 cells （MG63/DN）. The telomerase activity was 2.45±0.11 in MG63/DN cells, while 3.40±0.12 in the cells transfected with blank vector （MG63/I）, （P〈0.05）; DN-hTERT-expressing clones did not form tumors in 2 weeks, but the ratio of tumorigenesis was 30 % in nude mice bearing MG63/I （P〈0.01）. It was concluded that DN-hTERT could specifically inhibit the cell growth and telomerase activity in MG63 cells.

Inhibitory Effects of Selenium on Telomerase Activity and hTERT Expression in Cadmium-transformed 16HBE Cells

To investigate the effects of sodium selenite on telomerase activity and expression of hTERT mRNA in cadmium-transformed 16HBE cells. Methods Telomerase activity and expression of genes were measured after cultured cadmium-transformed 16HBE cells were exposed to sodium selenite at different doses （0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 pmol/L） for 24 hours. Results Selenium decreased telomerase activity in cadmium-transformed 16HBE cells. There existed an obvious dose-effect relationship between the selenium concentration and these changes. The expression of hTERT and c-myc mRNA also decreased but the expression of madl mRNA increased after exposure to selenium for 24 hours. No difference was found in expression of hTRF1 and hTRF2 mRNA after incubated with sodium selenite for 24 hours, compared with control group. Conclusion Selenium inhibits telomerase activity by decreasing hTERT and c-myc mRNA expression and increasing madl mRNA expression in cadmium-transformed 16HBE cells and selenium concentration is significantly correlated with these changes.

Telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in colorectal carcinoma

AIM： To study the activity of telomerase and the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase （hTERT） in colorectal carcinoma and its adjacent tissues, normal mucosa and adenomatoid polyp, and to evaluate their relation with carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal carcinoma. METHODS： Telomerase activity and hTERT expression were determined in 30 samples of colorectal carcinoma and its adjacent tissues, normal mucosa and 20 samples of adenomatoid polyp by modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol （TRAP）, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunohistochemical method. RESULTS： Telomerase activity and hTERT expression were 83.33% （25/30） and 76.67% （23/30） respectively in colorectal carcinoma, which were obviously higher than those in paracancerous tissues （13.33%, 16.67%）, normal mucosa （3.33%, 3.33%） and adenomatoid polyp （10%, 10%）. There was a significant difference between colorectal carcinoma and other tissues （P=0.027）. The telomerase activity and hTERT expression were higher in colorectal carcinoma with lymphatic metastasis than in that without lymphatic metastasis （P=0.034）. When the histological classification and clinical stage were greater, the telomerase activity and hTERT expression increased, but there was no significant difference between them. In colorectal carcinoma, the telomerase activity was correlated with hTERT expression （positive vs negative expression of telomerase activity and hTERT, P=0.021）. CONCLUSION： Telomerase activity is closely correlated with the occurrence, development and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. Overexpression of hTERT may play a critical role in the regulation of telomerase activity.

Effect of Lidamycin on Telomerase Activity in Human Hepatoma BEL-7402 Cells

Objective To investigate the effect of lidamycin （LDM） on telomerase activity in human hepatoma BEL-7402 cells under the condition of LDM inducing mitotic cell death and senescence. Methods Chromatin condensation was detected by co-staining with Hoechst 33342 and PI. Cell multinucleation was observed by Giemsa staining and genomic DNA was separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Fluorescent intensity of Rho123 was determined for mitochondrial membrane potential. MTT assay and SA-13-gal staining were employed to analyze the senescence-like phenotype. The expression of proteins was analyzed by Western blot. Telomerase activity was assayed by telomerase PCR-ELISA. Results Mitotic cell death occurred in LDM-treated cells characterized by unique and atypical chromatin condensation, multinucleation and increased mitochondrial membrane potential. However, no apoptotic bodies or DNA ladders were found. In addition, apoptosis-related proteins remained nearly unaltered. Senescence-like phenotype was identified by increased and elongated size of cells, growth retardation, enhanced SA-13-gal activity and the changes of senescence-related protein expression. Telomerase activity markedly decreased （P〈0.01） in LDM-treated hepatoma BEL-7402 cells. Conclusion Mitotic cell death and senescence could be triggered simultaneously or sequentially after exposure of hepatoma BEL-7402 cells to LDM. The decrease in telomerase activity may play a key role in the defective mitosis and aging morphology. Further investigation of detailed mechanism is needed.

Clinical significance of telomerase activity in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer and its relationship with cellular proliferation

AIM： To evaluate the efficacy of telomerase activity assay and peritoneal lavage cytology （PLC） examination in peritoneal lavage fluid for the prediction of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer patients, and to explore the relationship between telomerase activity and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression.METHODS： Telomeric repeated amplification protocol （TRAP）-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the telomerase activity in 60 patients with gastric cancer and 50 with peptic ulcer. PLC analysis of the 60 patients with gastric cancer was used for comparison. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in gastric carcinoma was immunohistochemically examined.RESULTS： The telomerase activity and PLC positive rate in peritoneal lavage fluid from patients with gastric cancer was 41.7% （25/60）, and 25.0% （15/60）, respectively. The positive rate of telomerase activity was significantly higher than that Qf PLC in the group of pT, （15/16 vs 9/16, P 〈 0.05）, P1-3 （13/13 vs 9/13, P 〈 0.05） and diffuse type （22/42 vs 13/42, P 〈 0.05）. The patients with positive telomerase activity, peritoneal metastasis, and serosal invasion had significantly higher levels of average PCNA proliferation index （PI）, （55.00 ± 6.59 vs 27.43 ± 7.72, 57.26 ±10.18 vs 29.15 ±8.31, and 49.82 ± 6.74 vs 24.65 ±7.33, respectively, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： The TRAP assay for telomerase activity is a useful adjunct for cytologic method in the diagnosis of peritoneal micrometastasis and well related to higher proliferating activity of gastric cancer. The results of this study also suggest a promising future therapeutic strategy for treating peritoneal dissemination based on telomerase inhibition.

Effects of Cadmium on Telomerase Activity,Expressions of TERT,C-myc and P53,and Apoptosis of Rat Hepatocytes

This study investigated the effect of cadmium on the telomerase activity,the expression of TERT,c-myc and p53 and the apoptosis of rat hepatocytes.The rats were administrated 5,10 and 20 μmol/kg cadmium chloride intraperitoneally and sacrificed 48 h after the initial treatment.The telomerase activity of the rat hepatocytes was measured by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP),and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The mRNA expressions of TERT,c-myc and p53 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).C-myc and P53 proteins were determined by immunochemistry.The results showed that cadmium chloride increased the hepatocellular telomerase activity in a dose-dependant manner and induced the apoptosis of hepatocytes significantly.The value of relative coefficient between the telomerase activity and the apoptosis rate was 0.9398.RT-PCR revealed that specific bands corresponding to the TERT mRNA,c-myc mRNA,and p53 mRNA were displayed at 185,342 and 538 bp respectively.Cadmium chloride could substantially increase the mRNA expressions of TERT,c-myc and p53 in rat hepatocytes,as compared with control.Moreover,cadmium chloride at the doses of 5,10 and 20 μmol/kg could increase the content of P53 protein in rat hepatocytes obviously,but only that at the doses of 10 and 20 μmol/kg substantially promoted the c-myc protein level in rat hepatocytes.Our study herein suggested that cadmium may contribute to the carcinogenesis by activating telomerase,and overexpressing the mRNAs of TERT,c-myc and p53,and causing apoptosis of normal cells.

Combination of telomerase antisense oligonucleotides simultaneously targeting hTR and hTERT produces synergism of inhibition of telomerase activity and growth in human colon cancer cell line

AIM: To investigate synergism of inhibition of telomerase activity and proliferation of human colon cancer cells by combination of telomerase antisense oligonucleotides (ASODNs) simultaneously targeting human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in vitro. METHODS: ASODN of hTR and ASODN of hTERT were transfected into human colon cancer SW480 cells by liposomal transfection reagents. Telomerase activity of SW480 cells was examined using telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA). Proliferation activity of SW480 cells was tested by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The telomerase activity and cell survival rate in SW480 cells transfected with 0.2 μmol/L of ASODN of hTR or ASODN of hTERT for 24-72 h were significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner compared with those after treatment with sense oligonucleotides and untreated (telomerase activity: 24 h, 73%, 74% vs99%, 98%; 48 h, 61%, 55% vs98%, 99%; 72 h, 41%, 37% vs 99%, 97%; P<0.01; cell survival rate: 24 h, 88%, 86% vs594%, 98%; 48 h, 49%, 47% vs94%, 97%; 72 h, 44%, 42% vs92%, 96%; P<0.01). Moreover, the telomerase activity and the cell survival rate in SW480 cells treated by the combination of telomerase anti-hTR and anti-hTERT were more significantly suppressed than single anti-hTR or anti-hTERT (telomerase activity: 24 h, 59% vs 73%, 74%; 48 h, 43% vs61%, 55%; 72 h, 18% vs41%, 37%; P<0.01; cell survival rate: 24 h, 64% vs88%, 86%; 48 h, 37% vs49%, 47%; 72 h, 25% vs44%, 42%; P<0.01). Meanwhile, the apoptosis rates in the combination group were markedly increased compared with those in the single group (24 h, 18.0% vs7.2%, 7.4%; 48 h, 23.0% vs13.0%, 14.0%; 72 h, 28.6% vs 13.2%, 13.75; P<0.01). Cells in combination group were arrested at G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSION: Telomerase anti-hRT and anti-hTERT suppress telomerase activity, and inhibit growth of human colon cancer cells probably via induction of apoptosis and retardation of cell cycle. Additionally, combined use of telomerase ASODNs targeting both hTR and hTERT yields synergistic action selective for human colon cancer.

Telomerase Activity and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression Induced by Selenium in Rat Hepatocytes

Objective To investigate the effects of sodium selenite on telomerase activity, apoptosis and expression of TERT, c-myc and p53 in rat hepatocytes. Methods Selenium at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 μmol/kg was given to SD rats by garage. In rat hepatocytes, telomerase activity was measured by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol （TRAP）, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and expressions of telomerase reverse transcriptase （TERT）, c-myc and p53 were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. c-Myc and P53 proteins were detected by immunochemistry. Results Selenium at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 μmol/kg significantly increased hepatocellular telomerase activity and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Although selenium at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10 μmol/kg displayed no obvious enhancing effect on the TERT mRNA expression in rat hepatocytes （P〉0.05）, it significantly increased the c-myc mRNA and p53 mRNA expression at the dose of 10 μmol/kg （P〈0.05）. Selenium at doses of 5.0 and 10 μmol/kg obviously increased the content of P53 protein in rat hepatocytes, but only at the dose of 10 μmol/kg, it significantly promoted the value of c-Myc protein in them. Conclusion Selenium can slightly increase telomerase activity and TERT expression, and significantly induce apoptosis and over-expression of c-myc and p53 at relatively high doses. The beneficial effects of selenium on senescence and aging may be mediated by telomerase activation and expression of TERT, c-myc, and p53 in rat hepatocytes.

Detection of telomerase activity by combination of telomeric repeat amplification protocol and electrochemiluminescence assay

A highly sensitive telomerase detection method that combines telomeric repeat amplification protocol （TRAP） and magnetic beads based electrochemiluminescence （ECL） assay has been developed. Briefly, telomerase recognizes biotinylated telomerase synthesis primer （B-TS） and synthesizes extension products, which then serve as the templates for PCR amplification using B-TS as the forward primer and tris-（2′2′-bipyridyl） ruthenium （TBR） labeled ACX （TBR-ACX） as the reversed primer. The amplified product is captured on streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads and detected by ECL. Telomerase positive HeLa cells were used to validate the feasibility of the method. The experimental results showed down to 10 cancer cells can be detected easily. The method is a useful tool for telomerase activity analysis due to its sensitivity, rapidity, safety, high throughput, and low cost. It can be used for screening a large amount of clinical samples.

A study of the relationship between expression level of TRF1 protein and telomerase activity in human acute leukemia

Objective： To study the expression level of TRF1 （telomeric repeat binding factor 1） protein in human acute leukemia and relationship between expression level of TRF1 protein and telomerase, Methods： A quantitative Western±Blot technique was developed using anti±TRF1^33±277 monoclonal antibody and GST±TRFI purity protein as a standard to further determine the expression level of TRF1 protein in total proteins extracted from clinical specimens. Results： Bone marrow tissues of 20 acute leukemia patients were studied, 11 healthy donors＇ bone marrows were taken as a control. The expression level of TRF1 protein was significantly higher （P〈0.01） in normal bone marrow （（2.2174±0.462） μg/μl） than that of acute leukemia patients （（0.7544±0.343） μg/μl）, But there was no remarkable difference between ALL and ANLL patients （（0.6184±0.285） μg/μl vs （0.8454±0.359） μg/μl, P〉0.05）. After chemotherapy, TRFI expression level of patients with complete remission elevated （（0.7724±0.307）/μg/μl vs （1.6834±0,344）μg/μl, P〈0.01 ）, but lower than that of normal （（2.2174±0.462）/μg/μl, P〈0.01）. There was no significantly difference after chemotherapy （（0.7264±0.411） μg/μl vs （0.895±0.339） μg/μl,p〉0.05）. TRF1 expression level of patients with complete remission is higher than that of patients without complete remission （（1,683±0.344）μg/μl vs （0.895±0.339）μg/μl P〈0.01）. All samples were determined for telomerase activity. It was confirmed that the activity of telomerase in normal bone marrow was lower than that of acute leukemia patients （（0.125±0.078） μg/μl vs （0.765±0.284）μg/μl, P〈0.01）. There was no significant difference of expression level ofTRF I protein between ALL and ANLL patients （（0.897±0.290） μg/μl vs （0.677±0.268） μg/μl, P〉0.05）. After chemotherapy, telomerase activity of patients with complete remission decreased （（0.393±0.125） μg/μl）, but was still higher than that of normal （（0.125±0.078） μg/μl, P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The expression level of TRF1 protein has correlativity to the activity of telomerase （P〈0.001）.

Inhibitory effects of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides on pancreatic cancer cell Bxpc-3 telomerase activity and cell growth in vitro

AIM： To investigate the effect of telomerase hTERT gene antisense oligonucleotide （hTERT-ASO） on proliferation and telomerase activity of pancreatic cancer cell line Bxpc-3. METHODS： MTT assay was used to detect the effect of different doses of hTERT-ASO on proliferation of Bxpc-3 cell for different times. To study the anti-tumor activity, the cells were divided into there groups： Control group （pancreatic cancer cell Bxpc-3）; antisense oligonucleotide （hTERT-ASO） group; and nosense oligonucleotide group decorated with phosphorothioate. Telomerase activity was detected using TRAP-PCR-ELISA. Cell DNA distribution was examined using flow cytometry assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscope in each group. RESULTS： After treatment with 6 mmollL hTERT- ASO, cell proliferation was inhibited in dose- and time- dependent manner. The telomerase activity decreased after treatment with hTERT-ASO for 72 h. Flow cytometry showed the cell number of G0/G1 phase increased from 2.7% to 14.7%, the cell number of S phase decreased from 72.7% to 51.0%, and a sub-G1 stage cell apoptosis peak appeared in front of G1 stage. CONCLUSION： Telomerase antisense oligodeoxy- nucleotide can inhibit the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell line Bxpc-3 and decrease the telomerase activity and increase cell apoptosis rate in vitro.

Effects of Tai Chi on telomerase activity and gerotranscendence in middle aged and elderly adults in Chinese society

Introduction:Telomeres are DNA protein structures at the end of chromosomes and are linked to the physical aging process.The improvement of quality of life is closely associated with aerobic exercise,and thedynamic effects of exerciseonphysiology and psychology are evident with aging.Tai Chi is popularly practiced in China.However,findings on the effects of Tai Chi on telomerase activity(TA)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells,and gerotranscendence(GT),as well as the association of TA and GT with Tai Chi,have been inconsistent.Purpose:This study aims to assess TA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells,GT,and the associations between them.The associations among these variables are determined during six months of Tai Chi intervention among Chinese middle aged and elderly adults.Methods:TA assessment was obtained by TE-ELISA(human telomeraseeenzyme linked immunosorbent assay),and GT was measured at the baseline level after six months of Tai Chi intervention.Results:TA increased significantly in the Tai Chi group from 23.75±3.78 u/mmol(preintervention)to 26.31±2.93 u/mmol(after 6 months)(p<0.05).Compared with the TA in the control group,the TA in the intervention group was statistically significant after six months(p<0.05).Compared with the GT in the control group,the GT in the intervention group improved significantly after six months(p<0.05).TA and GT had a positive correlation(r=0.325,p<0.01).Conclusion:Our data illustrated that Tai Chi had a protective effect on TA and might improve the GT in Chinese middle aged and elderly adults.The TA increased with the increasing GT in Chinese middle aged and elderly adults.

Detection of telomerase activity in biopsy samples for predicting prognosis in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy

Objective: To explore the role of telomerase activity detected in biopsy samples for evaluating the efficacy of lapa- roscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis. Methods: From August 2001 to October 2004, 34 cirrhotic patients with HCC were treated by laparoscopic RFA under general anesthe- sia. A total of 34 tumors, with a mean maximum tumor diameter of 4.0 ± 1.0 cm, were all located on the liver surface or adja- cent to the gallbladder. Laparoscopic ultrasound-guided core biopsy for liver lesions was performed before and immediately after RFA therapy. In these biopsy samples, telomerase activity was detected by the ELISA-based telomeric repeat amplifica- tion protocol (ELISA-TRAP) assay, and pathological examination was routinely performed. Results: Laparoscopic RFA was successfully performed in all the 34 patients. A complete tumor necrosis was achieved in all patients on the contrast-enhanced helical CT scanning one month after laparoscopic RFA. The positive rates of telomerase activity and histopathologic diagnosis in biopsy samples were 91.2% (31/34) and 100% (34/34) respectively before RFA, and 26.5% (9/34) and 0% respectively after RFA. During a median follow-up period of 35 months (range, 18–51 months), the rates of local tumor recurrence at the ablation sites in post-RFA telomerase-positive and negative patients were 88.9% (8/9) and 4% (1/25) respectively (P < 0.01), and the rates of distant recurrence within the livers were 0% (0/9) and 12% (3/25) respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion: For cirrhotic patients with HCC treated by laparoscopic RFA, detection of telomerase activity in biopsy samples may be useful for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of RFA and predicting postoperative local tumor recurrence.

Telomerase activity: An attractive target for cancer therapeutics

Telomeres are non-coding tandem repeats of 1000-2000 TTAGGG nucleotide DNA sequences on the 3’ termini of human chromosomes where they serve as protective “caps” from degradation and loss of genes. The “cap” at the end of chromosome required to protect its integ-rity is a 150-200 nucleotide-long single stranded G-rich 3’ overhang that forms two higher order structures, a T-loop with Sheltering complex, or a G-quadruplex com-plex. Telomerase is a human ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that continually added single stranded TTAGGG DNA sequences onto the single strand 3’ of telomere in the 5’ to 3’ direction. Telomerase activity is detected in male germ line cells, proliferative cells of renewal tissues, some adult pluripotent stem cells, embryonic cells, but in most somatic cells is not de-tected. Re-expression or up-regulation of telomerase in tumours cells is considered as a critical step in cell tumorigenesis and telomerase is widely considered as a tumour marker and a target for anticancer drugs. Dif-ferent approaches have been used in anticancer thera-peutics targeting telomerase. Telomerase inhibitors can block directly Human TElomerase Reverse Transcrip-tase （hTERT） or Human TElomerase RNA telomerase subunits activity, or G-quadruplex and Sheltering complex components, shortening telomeres and inhibiting cell proliferation. Telomerase can become an immune target and GV1001, Vx-001, I540 are the most wide-spread vaccines used with encouraging results. Another method is to use hTERT promoter to drive suicide gene expression or to control a lytic virus replication. Recently telomerase activity was used to activate pro-drugs such as Acycloguanosyl 5’-thymidyltriphosphate, a synthetic ACV-derived molecule when it is activated by telomer-ase it does not require any virus or host active immune response to induce suicide gene therapy. Advantage of all these therapies is that target only neoplastic cells without any effects in normal cells, avoiding toxicity and adverse effects of the current chemotherapy. However, as not all the approaches are equally effcient, further studies will be necessary.

Silencing Sp1 suppresses telomerase activity and promotes apoptosis of SW480 cells line in colorectal carcinoma

Objective:The aim of the study was to examine the effect of Sp1 on the expression of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) gene in human colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells.Methods:The Sp1 shRNA plasmid was transfected into colorectal carcinoma SW480 cells line by liposome mediation for transient expression.After Sp1 shRNA plasmid transfected SW480 cells,the exogenous Sp1 protein expression was determined by the method of Western blot.At same time,hTERT mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR,telomerase activity was determined by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol(TRAP) assay,and the apoptotic rate of cells was also tested by flow cytometry.Results:The protein expressions of Sp1 gene could be reduce by transfecting of pGenesil-1-Sp1(+) recombinant plasmid into SW480 cells.The apoptotic rate was increased compared with pGenesil-1-Sp1(-)/SW480 and SW480(P < 0.05),which indicated that lowexpression of Sp1 gene could lead to low level of telomerase activity and induce apoptosis.Conclusion:Silencing Sp1 may suppress the activity of telomerase by inhabiting hTERT gene expression.

Telomerase Activity in Human Renal Cell Carcinoma with Reference to Clinicopathologic Features

Objective: To study the telomerase activity in human renal cell carcinoma and to evaluate the correlation with the clinicobiologic features of the neogrowth.Methods: The telomerase activity was studied by means of a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) in 32 renal cell carcinoma tissues, 32 normal renal tissues and 32 paracancer tissues and its correlation with the clinicopathologic features of the tumor was evaluated.Results: Telomerase activity was strongly positive in 17, positive in 12 and negative in 3 cases of renal cell carcinoma tissues, the total positive rate being 91%. Telomerase activity was weakly positive (6%) in only 2 out of 32 samples of normal renal cortex tissues and positive in 6 paracancer tissues (19%), the difference was conspicuous (P<0.01).Conclusion: The positive rate of telomerase activity was significantly higher in renal cell carcinoma tissues and might serve as a prognostic marker for estimating the biologic characteristics of renal cell carcinoma.

Expression of Telomerase Activity in Gastric Cancer Cells

Objective To study the relationship between telomerase activity and biological behavior in human gastric cancer cells and appraise the clinical significance of detecting telomerase activity.Methods The telomerase activity in 47 gastric cancer tissue samples , their matched normal tissues, 7 gastric ulcer and 2 gastric cancer cell lines was detected using a PCR-based non-radioisotopic telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay. Results None of the 47 samples from normal gastric tissues expressed telomerase activity. The 41 of 47 cases of gastric cancer presented telomerase activity with an 87.2 % positive rate (P < 0.001). 2/2 gastric cancer cell lines and 0/7 gastric ulcer line were also positive for telomerase activity. The activity of telomerase was associated with the pathological differentiation of gastric cancer. Conclusion Telomerase activity may be related to the biological behavior of gastric cancer and can help in assessing the malignant potential of gastric cancer. Telomerase activity will be a good diagnostic marker for the detection of gastric cancer.

DETECTION OF TELOMERASE ACTIVITY IN BRONCHOSCOPICBRUSHING CELLS OF LUNG CANCER PATIENTS

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic significance of the detection of telomerase activity in the brushing cells obtained from fiberobronchoscopy. Methods: The techniques of TRAP-PCR-ELISA and TRAP-silver staining were employed to detect telomerase activity in 42 patients (57 samples) with pulmonary diseases. Results: Telomerase activity in the lesion side of lung cancer patients (N=23) was significantly higher than that in the contralateral side of the same patient (P<0.05), and in patients with pneumonia (P<0.05). In 23 patients with lung cancer, 21 cases (91.3%) were showed positive in telomerase activity, while only 12 cases (52.3%) were positively diagnosed by cytological smear examination (P<0.05). In 6 cases with cytological dysplasia of exfoliated cells, 5 (83.3%) were found to be telomerase activity positive. Conclusion: Detection of telomerase activity in the brushing cells obtained from fiberobronchoscopy may be an effective and sensitive method in the diagnosis of pulmonary malignant diseases.