[Effects of arecoline and nicotine on the expression of hTERT in oral keratinocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of arecoline and nicotine on the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and protein in cultured normal human oral keratinocytes (KC).


METHODS
The experiments were divided into arecoline group, arecoline/nicotine group and control group. The hTERT mRNA and protein expression of KC was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.


RESULTS
Arecoline could induce the hTERT mRNA and protein expression of KC in a dose dependent manner, the hTERT mRNA and protein expression of KC was higher in 0.030, 0.060, 0.090 g/L arecoline group than control group (P < 0.001). Nicotine (0.025 g/L) increased hTERT mRNA and protein expression of KC induced by arecoline.


CONCLUSIONS
Arecoline could increase the expression of hTERT mRNA and protein in oral keratinocytes. Nicotine had a synergistic effect on arecoline. hTERT over-expression induced by arecoline and nicotine may play an important role in the malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis.
Gao
Yi-jun
YJ
Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. gaoyijun1165@yahoo.com.cn
Ling
Tian-you
TY
Yin
Xiao-min
XM
Li
Xia
X
Huang
Yan
Y
D001115:Arecoline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001115:Arecoline; D009538:Nicotine; C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase