Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on hTERT gene expression and telomerase activity of HL-60 cells

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein expression and telomerase activity in HL-60 cells.Methods: The expression of hTERT protein was assayed by immunofluorescence using fluoresce isothiocyanate label and telomerase activity was determined by polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunoassay with HL-60 cells untreated or treated with ATRA. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results: After treatment with 1 μmol/L ATRA for 24, 48, 72 h, mean fluorescence intensity of hTERT protein in HL-60 cells was 61.87±4.36, 37.47±2.85, 33.45±2.37, respectively. There was a significant decrease in hTERT protein expression compared to the cells untreated, and the effect had statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Telomerase activity was decreased significantly in HL-60 cells treated with 1 μmol/L ATRA for 48, 72 h as compared to the cells untreated (P<0.05).Conclusion: ATRA could inhibit telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in HL-60 cells.