Telomerase activity and cell apoptosis in colon cancer cell by human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene antisense oligodeoxynucleotide.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (As-ODN) on telomerase activity and cell apoptosis in colon cancer cell line SW480.

METHODS

As-ODN was transfected into cells SW480 by liposomal transfection. Cultured cells were divided into three groups: ASODN (5'GGAGCGCGCGGCATCGCGGG-3'), sense oligodeoxynucleotide (5'-CCCGCGATGCCGCGCGCTCC-3', S-ODN) and control. The concentration of oligodeoxynucleotide and liposome was 10 micromol/L and 16 mg/L, respectively. The activity of telomerase was examined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cell apoptosis was observed by morphology and flow cytometry in each group.

RESULTS

Telomerase activity began to be down-regulated or inhibited when cells SW480 were treated with As-ODN for 72 h, and cell apoptosis was induced.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that hTERT As-ODN might specially inhibit the activity of telomerase in colon cancer cells and it is further proved that the hTERT gene has a significant correlation with telomerase activity. Further evidence is needed to prove whether hTERT As-ODN is a potential tool for the treatment of colon cancer.