Expression of Tankyrase 1 in Gastric Cancer and Its Correlation with Telomerase Activity

[摘要] Tankyrase 1, which enhances telomerase access to telomeres, plays an important role in telomere maintenance. The aim of this study was to determine the expression and potential role of tankyrase 1 in gastric cancer development and progression. We examined the expression of tankyrase 1 by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and assessed telomerase activity by TRAP-ELISA method in gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues. We found that tankyrase 1 expression was significantly up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal corresponding tissues. Tankyrase 1 over-expression by gastric cancerous tissue was significantly associated with tumor histology differentiation and tumor stage. Moreover, tankyrase 1 expression was significantly correlation with telomerase activity. Our results indicate that tankyrase 1 over-expression may play an important role in gastric cancer development and progression. Tankyrase 1 may be used as a biomarker of gastric cancer and may serve as a target for cancer therapy.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学

[关键词] Telomere