Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the function of the longer transcripts LPTS-L in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. METHODS: SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with LPTS-L expression construct and stably transfected cells were selected by G418. Multiple single clones formed and were checked for their phenotype. In the study of the effect on telomerase activity of LPTS-L in vitro, GST-LPTS-L fusion protein was expressed in E.coli and purified by glutathione-agarose column. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays were performed to study the influence of telomerase activity in SMMC-7721 cells. RESULTS: Over-expression of LPTS-L induced SMMC-7721 cells into crisis. LPTS-L could inhibit the telomerase activity in SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: LPTS-L is a potent telomerase inhibitor. Over-expression of LPTS-L can induce hepatoma cells into crisis due to the reduction of telomerase activity.