Objective: To evaluate the effect of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) on telomerase activity and apoptosis in lung cancer cell A549 line.
Method: Cultured cells were divided into three groups: ASODN (5'-GCGCGGCAGCGCGGGGGTGGCCG-3'), sense oligodeoxynucleotide (5'-CGGCCACCCCCGCGATGCCGCGC-3', SODN) and control. The concentration of oligodeoxynucleotide and lipsome was 10 micromol/L and 16 mg/L respectively. The changes of telomerase activity, expression of hTERT mRNA and protein and apoptosis were observed in different groups.
Results: hTERT mRNA and protein levels, as well as telomerase activity began to be down-regulated or inhibited when A549 cells were treated with ASODN for 72 h, but apoptosis was induced until cells were treated for 21 days with ASODN (rate of apoptosis was 0.88%, 2.77% and 12.00% for the control, SODN and ASODN group respectively).
Conclusion: It is suggested that hTERT ASODN might specially inhibit telomerase activity at translation level in lung cancer cells and it is further proved that the hTERT gene have significant correlation with telomerase activity. Further evidence is needed to prove whether hTERT ASODN might be a potential tool for the treatment of lung cancer.