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

Ai Zheng. 2003 Nov;22(11):1175-9.
[Article in Chinese]

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.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Telomerase