Telomerase antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibits telomerase activity and induces apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells

【Objective】 To study the ability of telomerase antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to inhibit telomerase activity and to induce apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.【Methods】 Telomerase antisense oligodeoxynucleotide labeled with fluorescent(FAM) was transfected into lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by lipofectamine.The change of telomerase activity was assayed by TRAP-PCR-ELISA.Apoptotic cells were observed under a transmission electron microscope(TEM).The assay of TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) was employed to detect the apoptotic index of each group.【Results】 Telomerase activity was significantly suppressed 72 h after the transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide into A549 cells.The apoptotic index was apparently higher in the PSODN group than those in other groups with significant differences(P 0.01).【Conclusions】 Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeting telomerase can inhibit the telomerase activity of lung adenocarcinoma cells and induce their apoptosis.