Inhibition of Telomerase with hTERT Antisense Increases Susceptibility of Leukemic Cells to CDDP-induced Apoptosis

Objective: To investigated the e?ect of inhibition of telomerase with hTERT antisense on leukemic cells (HL-60 and K562) to CDDP-induced apoptosis. Methods: Antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (AS PS-ODN) was synthesized and puri?ed. Telomerase activity was detected by Telomerase PCR ELASA kit and cell apoptosis was observed by morphological method and determined by ?owcytometry. Results: AS PS-ODN could signi?cantly inhibit telomerase activity by down regulat- ing the hTERT expression, and increase the susceptibility of leukemic cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Inhibition of telomerase with hTERT antisense can increases the susceptibility of leukemic cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis.

稳转hTERT绵羊睾丸细胞系的建立

羊睾丸原代细胞的体外培养是探究牛羊病毒致病机理的重要材料,实际科研工作中常受困于此类细胞传代性差、性质不稳定等缺点。外源性导入人端粒酶逆转录酶基因(hTERT)可以促使端粒酶活性的表达,延长细胞体外培养寿命是一种有效建立细胞永生化的方法。本试验中,通过RT-PCR获得hTERT。利用同源重组的技术,成功的构建了hTERT的真核表达质粒和慢病毒质粒。利用慢病毒表达系统,建立了稳转hTERT绵羊的睾丸细胞系。间接免疫荧光和蛋白免疫印迹试验研究结果均显示,hTERT基因已成功整合进入绵羊睾丸基因组中并稳定表达。第30代次的羊睾丸细胞生长较快,性状较稳定,表明已成功构建了具有永生化特性的绵羊睾丸细胞系,为草食动物病毒的相关研究提供重要的细胞模型。

子痫前期孕妇血清hTERT和Sirt6水平表达与疾病严重程度及妊娠结局评估中的价值研究

目的检测子痫前期孕妇血清中人端粒酶反转录酶(human telomerase reverse transcriptase,hTERT)、沉默信息调节因子6(silent information regulator 6,Sirt6)表达,并探究hTERT,Sirt6水平表达与疾病严重程度及妊娠结局评估中的价值。方法选取2018年1月~2022年12月在陕西省人民医院进行诊治的300例子痫前期孕妇作为子痫前期组,孕妇均符合《妊娠期高血压疾病诊治指南(2015)》中子痫前期诊断标准,选取同时期孕检的300例健康孕妇为对照组,根据病情严重程度将子痫前期组分为轻症子痫前期组(n=180)和重症子痫前期组(n=120),根据是否发生不良妊娠结局将子痫前期组分为正常妊娠组(n=165)和不良妊娠组(n=135)。酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay,ELISA)法检测血清中hTERT和Sirt6水平,Spearman相关性分析血清中hTERT和Sirt6水平与子痫前期孕妇病情严重程度的相关性,利用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线评估血清hTERT和Sirt6水平在子痫前期诊断及妊娠结局预测中的价值。结果与对照组比较,子痫前期组血清hTERT(22.15±5.82 ng/ml vs 30.12±9.56 ng/ml),Sirt6(5.26±1.62 ng/ml vs 7.06±2.29 ng/ml)水平降低,差异具有统计学意义(t=12.334,11.114,均P<0.001)。与轻症子痫前期组比较,重症子痫前期组孕妇血清hTERT(18.28±4.11 ng/ml vs 24.73±6.96 ng/ml),Sirt6(4.03±1.17 ng/ml vs 6.08±1.92 ng/ml)水平降低,差异具有统计学意义(t=9.142,10.469,均P<0.001)。与正常妊娠组比较,不良妊娠组子痫前期孕妇血清中hTERT(17.75±4.61 ng/ml vs 25.75±6.81 ng/ml),Sirt6(4.06±0.96 ng/ml vs 6.24±2.16 ng/ml)水平降低,差异具有统计学意义(t=11.639,10.878,均P<0.001)。Spearman相关性分析显示,血清hTERT,Sirt6水平与子痫前期孕妇疾病严重程度均呈负相关(r=-0.562,-0.604,均P<0.001)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清hTERT,Sirt6诊断子痫前期的曲线下面积(95%置信区间)[AUC(95%CI)]分别为0.711(0.673~0.747),0.727(0.689~0.762),两者联合诊断子痫前期的AUC(95%CI)为0.788(0.753~0.820),高于两者单独诊断(Z=2.719,2.154,P=0.007,0.031);血清hTERT,Sirt6预测子痫前期不良妊娠结局的AUC(95%CI)分别为0.786(0.735~0.831),0.783(0.732~0.829),两者联合预测子痫前期不良妊娠结局的AUC(95%CI)为0.849(0.804~0.888),高于两者单独预测(Z=1.855,1.861,P=0.032,0.031)。结论hTERT和Sirt6在子痫前期孕妇血清中水平较低,与子痫前期孕妇疾病严重程度均呈负相关,并对妊娠结局具有一定的评估价值。

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 and hTERT: Can they serve as markers for gastric cancer diagnosis?

AIM: To investigate telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in normal human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (nhGMECs) and fibroblasts (nhGMFs).

Testicular expression of survivin and human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT)associated with spermatogenic function in infertile patients

Aim： To characterize the coexpression of survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis （IAF）, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase （hTERT） in human testes with varying spermatogenic function. Methods： Transcript levels of survivin mRNA and hTERT mRNA were determined in normal testes （n = 11） and testes with defective spermatogenesis （n = 28） using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The histological work-up was performed according to a modified Johnsen score. Results： Expressions of both survivin and hTERT were highest at median levels of 96.8 and 709 in normal spermatogenesis and dropped to 53.3 and 534 in testes with postmeiotic spermatogenic arrest （n = 10）. In severe spermatogenic failure （n = 18）, survivin expression was lacking in most specimens （n = 16）, whereas at least low levels of testicular hTERT expression were largely detectable with a normalized expression of 73 in premeiotic spermatogenic arrest （n = 7） and 45 in patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome （SCOS） （n = 3）. Both survivin and hTERT expressions increased with a progressing Johnsen score （P for trend = 0.001）. Conclusion： Although both survivin and hTERT are correlated with spermatogenic function, they show different expression patterns in testes of infertile patients. These findings substantiate results from studies in the rodent testis suggesting a predominant expression of survivin in meiotically dividing germ cells. （Asian J Andro12006 Jan; 8： 95-100）

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.

Quantification of human telomerase RNA(hTR)and human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT)mRNA in testicular tissue of infertile patients

Aim:To evaluate the quantitative detection of human telomerase RNA(hTR)and human telomerase reverse tran-scriptase(hTERT)mRNA as diagnostic parameters in the workup of testicular tissue specimens from patients presentingwith non-obstructive azoospermia.Methods:hTR and hTERT mRNA expression were quantified in 38 cryopre-served testicular tissue specimens by fluorescence real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in a LightCycler(r).This was paralleled by conventional histological workup in all tissue specimens and additionalsemithin sectioning preparation in cases with maturation arrest(n=12)and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome(n=12).Re-sults;The average normalized hTERT expression(N_(hTERT))was 131.9±48.0 copies(mean±SD)in tissue speci-mens with full spermatogenesis,N_(hTERT)=51.2±17.2 copies in those with maturation arrest and N_(hTERT)=2.7±2.4copies in those with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome(SCOS).The discriminant analysis showed that detection of N_(hTERT)(N_(hTR))had a predictive value of 86.8%(55.3%)for correct classification in one of the three histological subgroups.Conclusion;Our results demonstrate that quantitative detection of hTERT mRNA expression in testicular tissue en-ables a molecular-diagnostic classification of gametogenesis.Quantitative detection of hTERT in testicular biopsies isthus well suited for supplementing the histopathological evaluation.

Effect of realgar on telomerase activity and hTERT-mRNA expression in NB4 cells

Objective: To evaluate whether realgar could down-regulate human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression and telomerase activity in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line-NB4 cells. Methods: The expression of hTERT-mRNA was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Telomerase activity was determined by polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunoassay (PCR-ELISA). Flow cytometry using PI staining was applied to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis. Results: Treatment of NB4 cells with 155, 300, 600 μg/L realgar reduced telomerase activity significantly accompanying with decrease of hTERT-mRNA and increasing cell apoptosis. G2/M phase arrest appeared when treated with realgar in 300, 600 μg/L. Conclusion: It is suggested that telomerase activity of NB4 cells can be specifically inhibited by realgar through the down-regulation of hTERT gene expression. G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by realgar in NB4 cells might be related to the reduction of telomerase activity and hTERT-mRNA expression.

TELOMERASE ACTIVITY AND hTERT mRNA EXPRESSION IN ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Objective: To investigate the clinical implications of telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression as useful diagnostic marker in acute leukemia. Methods: Expression of hTERT was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 24 cases with acute leukemia and in 12 normal persons. Quantitative levels of telomerase activity were examined by polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunoassay (PCR-ELISA). Results: In the bone marrow and peripheral blood of 24 acute leukemia, telomerase activity was detected in 75% of the samples, with absorbances (A) of 0.538±0.062 and 0.463±0.054, respectively. Whereas in 12 normal peripheral blood, telomerase activity had only a positive rate of 8.3%, with A value of 0.16±0.012. telomerase activities in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of acute leukemia were significantly higher than in normal control (P<0.05). RT-PCR analysis revealed that hTERT mRNA was expressed in 79.17%(19/24) of acute leukemia, but in only 1 of 12 normal peripheral blood. In 24 acute leukemias, 17 cases had both positive telomerse activity and hTERT mRNA expression. The expression of hTERT mRNA is correlated with telomerase activity (P<0.01). Conclusion: Telomerase and hTERT mRNA could be useful in diagnosis of acute leukemia. hTERT gene expression was strongly associated with telomerase activity in acute leukemia. Key words Telomerase - hTERT - Acute leukemia CLC number R733.71 Foundation item: This work was supported by the Guangdong Provincial Key Foundation of Science and Technology Program(No. 021195).Biography: HE Dong-mei(1968–), female, doctor of medicine, associate professor, Jinan University Medical College, majors in gene diagnosis and therapy of leukemia.

Effects of All－trans Retinoic Acid on hTERT Gene Expression and Telomerase Activity of HL－60 Cells

Objective: To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein expression and telomerase activity in HL-60 cells. Methods: The expression of hTERT protein was assayed by immunofluorescence using fluoresce isothiocyanate label and telomerase activity was determined by polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunoassay with HL-60 cells untreated or treated with ATRA. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: After treatment with 1μmol/L ATRA for 24, 48, 72 h, mean fluorescence intensity of hTERT protein in HL-60 cells was 61.87±4.36, 37.47±2.85， 33.45±2.37，respectively. There was a significant decrease in hTERT protein expression compared to the cells untreated, and the effect had statistically significant difference (P<0.05).Telomerase activity was decreased significantly in HL-60 cells treated with 1μmol/L ATRA for 48, 72h as compared to the cells untreated (P<0.05). Conclusion: ATRA could inhibit telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in HL-60 cells.

Inhibition of Telomerase Activity of Lymphoblastic Leukemic Cells by hTERT Antisense

To investigate the effect of antisense, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA oligodeoxynucleotide on telomerase activity of lymphoblastic leukemic cells. Methods: Telomerase activity was measured by the telomerase PCR ELISA assay kit (TRAP), hTERT protein by immunochemistry and flowcytometry, hTERT mRNA expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and gel-image system. Results: Incubation of lymphoblastic leukemic cells (Jurkat, Raji and CEM cell lines) with 10 μmol/L AS PS-ODN could significantly decline the mRNA and hTERT after 72 h, and the telomerase activity was significantly down-regulated or inhibited. Conclusion: The hTERT AS PS-ODN was an excellent inhibitor for telomerase activity of lymphoblastic leukemic cells.

Telomerase-related advances in hepatocellular carcinoma:A bibliometric and visual analysis

BACKGROUND As a critical early event in hepatocellular carcinogenesis,telomerase activation might be a promising and critical biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients,and its function in the genesis and treatment of HCC has gained much attention over the past two decades.AIM To perform a bibliometric analysis to systematically assess the current state of research on HCC-related telomerase.METHODS The Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed were systematically searched to retrieve publications pertaining to HCC/telomerase limited to“articles”and“reviews”published in English.A total of 873 relevant publications related to HCC and telomerase were identified.We employed the Bibliometrix package in R to extract and analyze the fundamental information of the publications,such as the trends in the publications,citation counts,most prolific or influential writers,and most popular journals;to screen for keywords occurring at high frequency;and to draw collaboration and cluster analysis charts on the basis of coauthorship and co-occurrences.VOSviewer was utilized to compile and visualize the bibliometric data.RESULTS A surge of 51 publications on HCC/telomerase research occurred in 2016,the most productive year from 1996 to 2023,accompanied by the peak citation count recorded in 2016.Up to December 2023,35226 citations were made to all publications,an average of 46.6 citations to each paper.The United States received the most citations(n=13531),followed by China(n=7427)and Japan(n=5754).In terms of national cooperation,China presented the highest centrality,its strongest bonds being to the United States and Japan.Among the 20 academic institutions with the most publications,ten came from China and the rest of Asia,though the University of Paris Cité,Public Assistance-Hospitals of Paris,and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research(INSERM)were the most prolific.As for individual contributions,Hisatomi H,Kaneko S,and Ide T were the three most prolific authors.Kaneko S ranked first by H-index,G-index,and overall publication count,while Zucman-Rossi J ranked first in citation count.The five most popular journals were the World Journal of Gastroenterology,Hepatology,Journal of Hepatology,Oncotarget,and Oncogene,while Nature Genetics,Hepatology,and Nature Reviews Disease Primers had the most citations.We extracted 2293 keywords from the publications,120 of which appeared more than ten times.The most frequent were HCC,telomerase and human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT).Keywords such as mutational landscape,TERT promoter mutations,landscape,risk,and prognosis were among the most common issues in this field in the last three years and may be topics for research in the coming years.CONCLUSION Our bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of HCC/telomerase research and insights into promising upcoming research.

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.

榄香烯诱导人脑胶质瘤U251细胞凋亡及对端粒酶活性和hTERT表达影响的研究

目的:探讨榄香烯诱导人脑胶质瘤U251细胞凋亡及其影响端粒酶活性及其催化亚单位人端粒酶逆转录酶(hTERT)表达的机制。方法:将榄香烯处理人脑胶质瘤U251细胞株后,用MTT法检测细胞增殖抑制率,并求出半数抑制浓度(IC50),倒置显微镜和电镜观察经榄香烯处理的U251细胞形态,流式细胞仪和原位末端标记技术检测细胞周期及细胞凋亡率的变化,免疫荧光技术观察凋亡小体,流式细胞仪测定bcl-2表达水平,端粒重复扩增(TRAP)法测定端粒酶活性的变化,RT-PCR检测bcl-2和hTERT的表达。结果:榄香烯对U251细胞株增殖具有抑制作用,呈剂量和作用时间的依赖性,IC50为0.062mg/ml,倒置显微镜下可见榄香烯组细胞皱缩、变小,电镜下可见具有典型新月形核的凋亡细胞和凋亡小体,流式细胞仪检测榄香烯阻滞U251细胞周期中S期向G2/M期的转变过程,减少有丝分裂,并引起细胞凋亡,免疫荧光技术观察凋亡小体,TRAP法发现榄香烯可以降低端粒酶活性的变化,呈时间和剂量依赖型。RT-PCR分别证实榄香烯降低bcl-2和hTERT基因表达水平。结论:榄香烯诱导人脑胶质瘤U251细胞凋亡,并抑制U251细胞端粒酶的活性,榄香烯作用于胶质瘤的分子生物学机制可能通过抑制bcl-2表达,下调hTERT基因,降低端粒酶的活性,从而诱导细胞调亡。

RNA干扰技术靶向hTERT基因治疗肝癌的实验研究

背景与目的:RNA干扰(RNAinterference,RNAi)是由双链RNA介导的、在转录后mRNA水平关闭相应基因表达的新基因阻断技术,在基因功能研究、基因治疗方面已显示出巨大的前景。目前,利用RNAi已抑制了包括cyclophilin、GAPDH、p53、c-myc在内的多个内源基因的表达。同时在艾滋病、病毒性肝炎等的治疗研究中也已取得一定进展。但对肝癌等恶性肿瘤中高表达的hTERT基因,国内外还未见相关研究报道。本研究利用RNAi技术,在体内外抑制hTERT基因表达,探讨RNAi对肝癌治疗的可行性。方法:设计干扰hTERT基因的小片段RNA,构建重组表达质粒pTZU6+1-shRNA-hTERT并导入肝癌SMMC7721细胞株和裸鼠移植瘤,在体内外诱导RNAi,采用流式细胞检测技术、RT-PCR法、免疫组化等同时检测RNAi治疗组和对照组hTERT基因表达及细胞增殖变化。结果:体外细胞实验显示,重组质粒pTZU6+1-shRNA-hTERT导入肝癌SMMC7721细胞株3～7天后,肝癌细胞生长抑制率达37.5%;细胞周期相分布发生显著变化,S期细胞明显减少,G1/G0期细胞显著增加;hTERT的mRNA表达由99.4%下调到53.1%,hTERT蛋白表达由86.3%下调到46.6%。裸鼠体内实验结果显示,质粒pTZU6+1-shRNA-hTERT注射裸鼠皮下移植瘤7天后,瘤体积明显缩小,hTERT的mRNA表达由99.1%下调到76.2%,hTERT蛋白表达由87.2%

c-myc调节人端粒酶逆转录酶(htert)启动子活性的体外研究

目的 :研究c myc对人端粒酶逆转录酶 (htert)启动子的调节作用。方法 :采用Lipofect脂质体转染法将DNA质粒分别转染至肝癌细胞HepG2 、猴肾COS 7细胞和NIH3T3细胞 ,孵育 48h后 ,分别检测其报告基因萤虫素酶活性。结果 :与对照相比 ,载有htert 80 0bp启动子的质粒TERTLuc(80 0 )在肿瘤细胞HepG2 中活性显著增强。外源性转录因子c myc可显著上调htert启动子的表达 ,其激活作用与剂量呈正相关。人工突变c myc结合位点明显降低htert启动子的活性。结论 :c myc可直接激活htert启动子的表达 ,是调节端粒酶活性的重要转录因子。

逆转录病毒介导反义hTERT对肺癌细胞的抑制作用

背景与目的:抑制端粒酶活性可以抑制细胞端粒延长,进而抑制永生细胞的增殖。为了探讨以端粒酶为靶的肺癌基因治疗可能性,本实验观察反义人端粒酶逆转录酶组分(humantelomerasereversetranscriptase,hTERT)cDNA对A549肺癌细胞的端粒酶活性和细胞增殖的抑制作用。方法:RT-PCR扩增hTERTmRNA5'起始端835bp的cDNA,分别正向和反向插入到逆转录病毒表达载体pLXSN质粒中,转染包装细胞PT67后获得重组病毒,病毒感染肺癌A549细胞。Westernblot检测hTERT蛋白表达,TRAP法检测端粒酶活性,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态变化和绘制细胞生长曲线了解细胞增殖情况,流式细胞仪和DNA片段电泳观察凋亡情况。结果:反义hTERT作用肺癌A549细胞后hTERT蛋白表达下降,端粒酶活性被抑制,细胞增殖受到抑制并出现明显的细胞凋亡。结论:反义hTERT对肺癌细胞A549端粒酶活性具有明显的抑制作用,抑制细胞生长,促进细胞凋亡,hTERT有可能成为肺癌基因治疗靶点。

3种卵巢癌细胞中hTERT转录水平及其与端粒酶活性的相关性研究

背景与目的:端粒酶在约90%的肿瘤细胞中有活性而在绝大多数正常细胞中受抑,催化亚单位端粒酶逆转录酶(humantelomerasereversetranscriptase,hTERT)是端粒酶的重要组成部分,其表达的调控主要发生在转录水平。端粒酶、hTERT、hTERT启动子三者之间密切相关。本研究探讨卵巢癌细胞系中hTERT启动子的活性及其与hTERTmRNA表达和端粒酶活性之间的关系。方法:应用脂质体转染法将hTERT核心启动子基因转入3种卵巢癌细胞OVCAR3、SKOV3、3AO及正常卵巢上皮细胞中,并用荧光素酶检测实验检测其中hTERT启动子的活性;应用RT-PCR半定量法检测这4种细胞中hTERTmRNA的表达水平;应用PCR-ELISA定量检测这4种细胞中端粒酶的活性。同时以端粒酶阳性的永生化人胚肾成纤维细胞HEK293作为阳性对照,以端粒酶阴性的人胚肺成纤维细胞HELF作为阴性对照。结果:OVCAR3、SKOV3、3AO细胞及正常卵巢上皮细胞中的hTERT启动子活性(视每种细胞中pGL3-control的启动子活性为100%)分别为31.4%、20.3%、17.7%和0.3%;hTERTmRNA的相对表达水平(视SKOV3的表达水平为1.00)分别为1.30、1.00、0.63和0;端粒酶活性分别为0.580、0.414、0.386和0.103(>0.200时定为阳性)。3种卵巢癌细胞中hTERT启动子活性、hTERTmRNA表达水平和端粒酶活性均特异性增高。