Correlation between expression of human telomerase subunits and telomerase activity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate telomerase activity and hTERT, TP-1 expression and their relationships in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).


METHODS
Telomerase activity was measured in 60 ESCC tissues using telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay by silver staining. In situ hybridization was used for detecting hTERT and TP-1mRNA.


RESULTS
The telomerase activity was detected in 83.3% of ESCC tissues. The difference of telomerase activity was significant between well and poorly cancer differentiated lesions (P<0.05). The positive rate of telomerase activity was higher in patients with lymphatic metastasis than in patients without lymphatic metastasis. In cancer tissues hTERT mRNA expression was 75% and TP-1 mRNA expression was 71.7%. The expression of hTERT, TP-1 mRNA in well and poorly differentiated carcinoma was not significant. The expression of hTERT mRNA was correlated with telomerase activity, but TP-1 mRNA expression was not correlated with it.


CONCLUSIONS
Telomerase activity and hTERT, TP-1 mRNA expression are up-regulated in ESCC. Telomerase activity in ESCC is correlated with lymphatic metastasis and cancer differentiation. Telomerase activity may be used as a prognostic marker in ESCC. hTERT mRNA expression is correlated with telomerase activity. Enhanced hTERT mRNA expression may initially comprehend the telomerase activity level, but it is less sensitive than TRAP assay.
Li
Chun
C
Department of Pathology, Medical College, Shantou University, Shantou 515031 Guangdong Province, China. chli@stu.edu.cn
Wu
Ming-Yao
MY
Liang
Ying-Rui
YR
Wu
Xian-Ying
XY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C104342:TEP1 protein, human; D019098:Telomerase