HCV Induces Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase, Increases Its Catalytic Activity, and Promotes Caspase Degradation in Infected Human Hepatocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Telomerase repairs the telomeric ends of chromosomes and is active in nearly all malignant cells. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to be oncogenic and potential interactions with the telomerase system require further study. We determined the effects of HCV infection on human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression and enzyme activity in primary human hepatocytes and continuous cell lines.

Results

Primary human hepatocytes and Huh-7.5 hepatoma cells showed early de novo TERT protein expression 2-4 days after infection and these events coincided with increased TERT promoter activation, TERT mRNA, and telomerase activity. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that NS3-4A protease-helicase, in contrast to core or NS5A, specifically bound to the C-termi

SUBMITTER: Zhu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5215869 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature