Receptor C_k-dependent signaling regulates hTERT gene transcription

• Main Authors: Varma Neelam, Kaul Deepak, Sikand Kavleen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-01-01
• Series: BMC Cell Biology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2121/7/2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Available evidence suggests that the regulation of telomerase activity primarily depends on the transcriptional control of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. Although several activators and repressors of hTERT gene transcription have been identified, the exact mechanism by which hTERT transcription is repressed in normal cells and activated in cancer cells remains largely unknown. In an attempt to identify possible novel mechanisms involved in the regulation of hTERT transcription, the present study examined the role of Receptor C_k, a cell surface receptor specific for cholesterol, in the transcription of hTERT gene in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Activated Receptor C_kwas found to down-regulate hTERT mRNA expression by repressing the transcription of c-myc gene. Receptor C_k-dependent signaling was also found to down-regulate the mRNA expression of the gene coding for the ligand inducible transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). The ligand activation of PPARγ resulted in the down-regulation of c-myc and hTERT mRNA expression. By using specific activator and inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), it was demonstrated that Receptor C_kdependent down-regulation of hTERT gene transcription involved inhibition of PKC. In addition, 25-hydroxycholesterol was found to contribute to the transcriptional regulation of hTERT gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, the findings of this study present evidence for a molecular link between cholesterol-activated Receptor C_kand hTERT transcription, and provide new insights into the regulation of hTERT expression in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.</p>