[Molecular cloning of hTRT catalytic domain and its expression in tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of hTRT gene in tumors and its significance in cancer diagnosis.


METHODS
The expression of hTRT in HeLa cells and PG cells was estimated by RT-PCR and the hTRT cDNA encoding the catalytic domain from HeLa cells were cloned and sequenced. Using in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, the expression of hTRT mRNA in 54 human tumors were observed and compared with the expression of hTR.


RESULTS
hTRT was detected in both HeLa and PG cells. Sequencing showed that the cloned hTRT catalytic domain cDNA was identical with that reported in the literature. hTRT and hTR expressions were detected in 38/46 and 40/46 malignant tumors respectively, while both hTRT and hTR were not detected in 8 benign tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
hTRT was detected in both HeLa and PG cancer cells. hTRT catalytic domains were highly conservative. The expression of hTRT and hTR were both high in malignant tumors and they were strongly correlated. Our results suggest that detection of hTRT was valuable to clinical oncology diagnosis.
Ying
J
J
Department of Pathology, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, 100083.
Jin
Y
Y
Wang
H
H
Hou
L
L
Ma
C
C
Zhang
B
B
D020134:Catalytic Domain / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019098:Telomerase