Telomerase repressor sequences on chromosome 3 and induction of permanent growth arrest in human breast cancer cells

Andrew P. Cuthbert, Jacquelyn Bond, Deborah A. Trott, Sandra Gill, Jessica Broni, Alison Marriott, Guennadi Khoudoli, E. Kenneth Parkinson, Colin S. Cooper, Robert F. Newbold

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Abstract

Background: Activation of the enzyme telomerase, which has been associated with cellular immortality, may constitute a key step in the development of human cancer. Telomerase is repressed in most normal human somatic cells. This study was conducted, using a genetic complementation approach, with the aim of identifying and mapping the genes respon- sible for repressing telomerase and, simultaneously, to establish the effect of experimentally induced telomerase repression on human tumor cell growth. Methods: Individual human chromosomes isolated from normal diploid cells and tagged with bacterial antibiotic resistance genes (for later selection) were introduced into cells of the human breast carcinoma cell line 21NT by means of microcell transfer. Selected hybrid clones were screened for telomerase activity by use of the polymerase chain reaction-based telomere re- peat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, and the prolifera- tive fate of the hybrid clones was determined. Regions of the introduced chromosomes associated with telomerase repres- sion were mapped using segregant hybrids and a deletion analysis that employed microsatellite DNA markers. Results: Strong repression of telomerase was observed following transfer of human chromosome 3 into 21NT cells but not after transfer of chromosomes 8, 12, or 20. The vast majority of hybrid clones with repressed telomerase entered permanent growth arrest after 10-18 population doublings. Deletion analysis of nonrepressed segregant monochromosome 3 hybrids indicated two regions on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p21.3-p22 and 3p12-21.1) where telomerase regulator genes may be located. Conclusions: Telomerase in human breast cancer cells is efficiently repressed by a gene orgenes on normal human chromosome 3p, and this repression is associated with permanent growth arrest of the tumor cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-45
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the National Cancer Institute
Volume91
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jan 1999

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