Telomerase activity of cells during alterations of their proliferative states

We showed that the telomerase activity (TAC) of human promyelocytic leukemic cells U-937 and HL-60 sharply decreased after induction of macrophagal differentiation. Dedifferentiation which occurred several days after removing the inductor was accompanied by the resumption of proliferation and increase of TAC. Telomerase activity significantly decreased also when U-937 cells ceased to proliferate in response to long-term inhibition of the telomerase function by azidothymidine. TAC was observed to decrease slowly for 6-8 days in the course of transition of mouse fibroblasts 3T3 Swiss to the quiescent state. TAC decreased both in serum-deprived cells and in slowly proliferating high-density inhibited cells. During the exit from quiescence and in dedifferentiation, the increase in TAC preceded the resumption of proliferation. In all the cases described the alterations of TAC correlated with alterations in the nonspecific polymerase activity which we had found earlier (D. N. Chernov, Y. E. Yegorov, and S. S. Akimov, DokL Biochemistry 349:55-58 (1996)). The problems of TAC regulation are discussed.