Normal and Tumour Tissue mRNA Expressions of Telomerase Complex Genes in Several Types of Cancer

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the changes in mRNA expression levels of telomerase-related significant proteins in several types of cancer. Methods: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase, pontin, reptin and dyskerin expressions were measured in normal and tumour tissues obtained from 26 patients with colorectal, breast and gastric cancers, using the realtime reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. Results: For all patients, no significant difference was found in mRNA expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase and dyskerin (p>0.05), although their levels in tumour tissues were found to be higher than in normal tissues. However, pontin and reptin mRNA expressions were significantly higher in tumour tissues than in normal tissues (p