Ma Chenjing, Li Xian, Ding Weifeng, Zhang Xin, Chen Hang, Feng Ying
Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650224, China.
Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210037, China.
AMB Express. 2023 Oct 21;13(1):118. doi: 10.1186/s13568-023-01624-w.
Telomere and telomerase are crucial factors in cell division and chromosome stability. Telomerase activity in most cells depends on the transcription control by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The introduction of an exogenous human TERT (hTERT) in cultured cells could enhance telomerase activity and elongate the lifespan of various cells. Telomere elongation mechanisms vary between insects and are complex and unusual. Whether the use of exogenous hTERT can immortalize primary insect cells remains to be investigated. In this study, we used a recombinant virus expressing hTERT to infect primary cultured cells of Periplaneta americana and evaluated its effects on insect cell immortalization. We found that hTERT was successfully expressed and promoted the growth of P. americana cells, shortening their doubling time. This was due to the ability of hTERT to increase the activity of telomerase in P. americana cells, thus prolonging the telomeres. Our study lays the foundation for understanding the mechanisms of telomere elongation in P. americana, and suggests that the introduction of hTERT into insect cells could be an efficient way to establish certain insect cell lines.
端粒和端粒酶是细胞分裂和染色体稳定性的关键因素。大多数细胞中的端粒酶活性取决于端粒酶逆转录酶（TERT）的转录调控。在培养细胞中引入外源性人TERT（hTERT）可以增强端粒酶活性并延长各种细胞的寿命。昆虫之间的端粒延长机制各不相同，且复杂而独特。使用外源性hTERT是否能使昆虫原代细胞永生化仍有待研究。在本研究中，我们使用表达hTERT的重组病毒感染美洲大蠊原代培养细胞，并评估其对昆虫细胞永生化的影响。我们发现hTERT成功表达并促进了美洲大蠊细胞的生长，缩短了它们的倍增时间。这是由于hTERT能够增加美洲大蠊细胞中端粒酶的活性，从而延长端粒。我们的研究为理解美洲大蠊端粒延长机制奠定了基础，并表明将hTERT引入昆虫细胞可能是建立某些昆虫细胞系的有效方法。
