[Relationship among telomerase activity, expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and expression of c-myc in acute leukemia].

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:

Regulation of expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) is regarded as the major determinant of telomerase activity. Several studies suggested that c-myc could regulate hTERT expression. This study was designed to examine the telomerase activity, the expression of hTERT and c-myc, and to analyze their correlations in acute leukemia.

METHODS:

The telomerase activity was semi-quantitatively assayed in mononuclear cells (MNCs) of bone marrow (BM) from 35 acute leukemia patients and 15 control cases by polymerase chain reaction enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA). The mRNA expression of hTERT and c-myc were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the same time.

RESULTS:

The mean telomerase activity, the expression levels of the hTERT mRNA and c-myc mRNA in acute leukemia were 0.71+/-0.32, 0.47+/-0.36, and 0.85+/-0.31, respectively, which was significantly higher than those of control cases (P< 0.01). The telomerase activity and the expression level of c-myc mRNA were associated with the expression level of hTERT mRNA (P< 0.01). In the 25 follow-up patients, the mean telomerase activity and the expression level of the hTERT were 0.61+/-0.39 and 0.29+/-0.31 in complete remission cases, while 0.83+/-0.23 and 0.53+/-0.31 in none complete remission cases, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

The telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT and c-myc mRNA were up-regulated in acute leukemia, and the elevated expression of hTERT may be an important adjuster of telomerase activity. It is likely that c-myc protein can stimulate the expression of hTERT and thereby enhance telomerase activity, which may involve in carcinogenesis of leukemia.

• Authors: Xu Cheng, Zi-Xing Chen, Wei Wang, Jian-Xin Fu, Jian-Nong Cen, Li Yao
• Journal: Ai zheng = Aizheng = Chinese journal of cancer (Ai Zheng) Vol. 22 Issue 11 Pg. 1175-9 (Nov 2003) China
• PMID: 14613647 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA-Binding Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• Telomerase

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Female
• Genes, myc
• Humans
• Leukemia (drug therapy, enzymology, genetics)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Telomerase (genetics, metabolism)