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Human telomerase reverse transcriptase regulates cyclin D1 and G1/S phase transition in laryngeal squamous carcinoma

Jun Li1, Xinsheng Huang, Xiaofeng Xie

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, FengLin Road #180, XuHui, Shanghai, PR China.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|April 16, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Down-regulating human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) significantly suppresses laryngeal cancer cell viability by inhibiting cyclin D1 and cell cycle progression. This finding offers a potential therapeutic target for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is crucial for cancer cell proliferation and survival.
  • The precise mechanisms by which hTERT influences cancer cell cycle progression are not fully understood.
  • Targeting hTERT with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) has shown potential in inhibiting cancer cell growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory role of hTERT in cyclin D1 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which hTERT affects cancer cell viability and cell cycle.
  • To assess the correlation between hTERT and cyclin D1 expression in clinical laryngeal cancer samples.

Main Methods:

  • Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were used to silence hTERT expression in Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cells.
  • Cell proliferation was quantified using the CCK-8 assay.
  • Gene and protein expression levels of hTERT, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and c-Myc were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot.
  • Immunofluorescence staining on tissue microarrays assessed hTERT and cyclin D1 protein levels in patient samples.

Main Results:

  • hTERT silencing via shRNAs reduced Hep-2 cell proliferation by 76.8% at 96 hours.
  • hTERT knockdown significantly decreased the expression of hTERT, cyclin D1, and c-Myc, but not cyclin E.
  • Analysis of 36 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues revealed a strong positive correlation between hTERT and cyclin D1 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Down-regulating hTERT expression effectively suppresses laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell viability.
  • The observed anti-cancer effect is primarily mediated by the inhibition of cyclin D1 and subsequent G1/S phase cell cycle arrest.
  • hTERT and cyclin D1 represent potential therapeutic targets for laryngeal cancer treatment.

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