title: [Application of hammerhead ribozyme targeting telomerase molecule for cancer therapy].
abstract: Because telomerase is expressed in most cancer cells, but not in most normal somatic cells, telomerase is a promising target molecule of human cancer therapy. To reduce telomerase activity in cancer cells, a hammerhead ribozyme is a choice. The RNA component of telomerase (hTR) is an essential molecule for telomerase, therefore hammerhead ribozyme against it can directly interfere with the telomerase activity. The expression level of hEST2, a catalytic subunit of telomerase correlates well to telomerase activity. Hammerhead ribozyme against hEST2 mRNA, therefore, will reduce telomerase activity by breaking its transcript down. Although hammerhead ribozyme can be designed to target any particular three-base sequences; it is still difficult to predict its efficiency in vivo. Application of hammerhead ribozyme targeting hTR is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamaya
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D019098:Telomerase