[Changes of telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression in the process of apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by arsenic sulfide].

Aim: To explore the effect of arsenic sulfide on telomerase activity of HL-60 cells.

Methods: Telomerase activity was determined by PCR-ELISA. The expression of hTERT-mRNA was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle,apoptosis and CD11b expression of HL-60 cells.

Results: Treament of HL-60 cells with 0.3-0.6 mg/L arsenic sulfide for 72 h did not induce apoptosis of the cells, while 1.5-3.0 mg/L did. Furthermore, 1.5-3.0 mg/L arsenic sulfide inhibited the telomerase activity and hTERT-mRNA expression in HL-60 cells. Proportion of the cells in G2/M phase was increased when being treated with arsenic sulfide. 3.0 mg/L arsenic sulfide upregulated CD11b expression in HL-60 cells from 1.0 % to 6.8%.

Conclusion: Arsenic sulfide can inhibit telomerase activity. The increase of proportion of HL-60 cells in G2/M phase may be related to the reduction of telomerase activity. High dosage of arsenic sulfide can slightly induce differentiation of HL-60 cells.