[Role of telomerase in silica induced human cell transformation].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of telomerase in silica induced human cell transformation in vitro.


METHODS
Human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) was transferred into human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF). 160 microg/cm2 silica dusts were added to transform HELF and hTERT transduced HELF (HELF-T+) respectively. The telomerase activity and the length of telomere were determined. The growths of the normal and transformed cells were evaluated.


RESULTS
The hTERT gene was steadily transferred into HELF. Silica dusts caused the transformations of both HELF-T+ and HELF. The telomerase activities in transformed cells were higher and the telomere length of transformed cells was longer than those of HELF.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes of telomerase activity and telomere length may play an important role in the silica induced human cells transformation.
National Institute of Occupational Health and Poisons Control, Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Bingci
B
Liu
Peng
P
He
Xianglin
X
Shi
Baorong
B
You
Ming
M
Xu
Xiangmin
X
Zhang
Ning
N
Kang
D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D019098:Telomerase