[Telomerase downregulation during differentiation of leukemia cells]

Telomerase activity is often repressed during terminal differentiation of immortal cells. We found that activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) itself was not sufficient for telomerase downregulation during phorbol ester-induced differentiation of leukemia U937 cells whereas a MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 inhibited both the differentiation and telomerase downregulation. These data indicate that telomerase downregulation is a downstream event of MAPK signaling and associated with cell cycle quiescence. Furthermore, drug-induced accumulation of the cells at the G0/G1 phase was accompanied by telomerase downregulation even without differentiation, whereas that at the S phase by enhanced telomerase activity. These data indicate that cancer cells in the midst of solid tumor mass might modulate their telomerase activity and exhibit altered sensitivity to telomerase inhibitory agents.