[Correlation of telomere length and the expression of its regulating proteins in mesenchymal sarcomas].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the significance in the change of telomere length in mesenchymal sarcomas, through analyzing telomere length and expression of its associated proteins, including TRF1, POT1, hTERT, P53 and c-myc.


METHODS
The telomere length in 20 cases of osteosarcomas, 25 of chondrosarcomas, 19 of rhabdomyosarcomas, 26 of liposarcomas was measured by telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (Telo-FISH), and the expression of TRF1, POT1, hTERT, p53 or c-myc was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, respectively.


RESULTS
The telomere length in osteosarcomas was significantly shorter than that of either chondrosarcomas or liposarcomas (P<0.05). Similarly, the telomere length of rhabdomyosarcoma was shorter than that of chondrosarcoma (P<0.05). Meanwhile, telomere shortening was positively correlated with down expression of telomere binding proteins TRF1 and POT1 (P<0.05), but trends were detected more frequently in positive expression of hTERT (P<0.05) and in nuclear accumulation of P53 or expression of c-myc. With advancing in histological grading, telomere length was shortened markedly in chondrosarcomas, especially in liposarcomas (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The shortening of telomere could prevail in mesenchymal sarcoma and reflect the malignant potential. Telomere attrition usually correlated with down expression of POT1, TRF1 and with increased levels of hTERT, P53 and c-myc.
Chi
Ying-kai
YK
Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Shen
Qi
Q
Wang
Jiao-chen
JC
Zheng
Xing-zheng
XZ
Hou
Lin
L
Zhang
Bo
B
D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000089804:Shelterin Complex; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C440849:POT1 protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D000089804:Shelterin Complex; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase