Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of telomerase in silica induced human cell transformation in vitro. METHODS: Human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) was transferred into human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF). 160 microg/cm2 silica dusts were added to transform HELF and hTERT transduced HELF (HELF-T+) respectively. The telomerase activity and the length of telomere were determined. The growths of the normal and transformed cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The hTERT gene was steadily transferred into HELF. Silica dusts caused the transformations of both HELF-T+ and HELF. The telomerase activities in transformed cells were higher and the telomere length of transformed cells was longer than those of HELF. CONCLUSION: The changes of telomerase activity and telomere length may play an important role in the silica induced human cells transformation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 393-397 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Wei sheng yan jiu = Journal of hygiene research |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - Jul 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine