The activity of human telomerase in the cells of acute leukaemias

Janusz Kocki; Joanna Kolano; Maria Cioch; Anna Dmoszyńska; Jacek Wojcierowski

Vol 63, No 1 (2004)

Short communication

Submitted: 2012-02-06

Published online: 2003-12-03

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The activity of human telomerase in the cells of acute leukaemias

Janusz Kocki, Joanna Kolano, Maria Cioch, Anna Dmoszyńska, Jacek Wojcierowski

Folia Morphol 2004;63(1):127-128.

Vol 63, No 1 (2004)

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Submitted: 2012-02-06

Published online: 2003-12-03

Abstract

Telomeres are the end fragments of chromosomes formed by a number of non-coding double-stranded TTAGGG repeats in vertebrates. During cell division the number of repeats decreases, leading to cell senescence or apoptosis. In immortal cells, including cancer cells, the telomere length is stable and maintained by, among other factors, telomerase. The aim of the study is to compare telomerase activity in normal lymphocytes and in leukaemic cells. Samples of acute leukaemia cells, HL 60 cell line and the lymphocytes of healthy volunteers were examined. Telomerase analysis was performed using TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISAplus (Roche). The relative telomerase activities (RTA) in leukaemic and normal cells were analysed. A high level of RTA was observed in leukaemic cells.