Journal of Pineal Research

Volume 35, Issue 3 p. 204-211

Melatonin inhibits telomerase activity in the MCF-7 tumor cell line both in vivo and in vitro

Mercedes M. Leon-Blanco,

Mercedes M. Leon-Blanco

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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Juan M. Guerrero,

Juan M. Guerrero

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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Russel J. Reiter,

Russel J. Reiter

Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

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Juan R. Calvo,

Juan R. Calvo

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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David Pozo,

David Pozo

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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Mercedes M. Leon-Blanco,

Mercedes M. Leon-Blanco

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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Juan M. Guerrero,

Juan M. Guerrero

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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Russel J. Reiter,

Russel J. Reiter

Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

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Juan R. Calvo,

Juan R. Calvo

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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David Pozo,

David Pozo

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Seville, Spain;

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First published: 22 August 2003

https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-079X.2003.00077.x

Citations: 109

Address reprint requests to David Pozo, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Seville School of Medicine and Virgen Macarena Hospital, Avda. Sanchez-Pizjuan, 4, 41009-Seville, Spain. E-mail: [email protected]

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Abstract

Abstract: In this study for the first time the relationship between melatonin and telomerase activity was investigated. Melatonin exhibits oncostatic properties, but the actual mechanism of action by which the indole reduces tumor cell activity is not clear. Telomerase is an enzyme responsible of telomere elongation and is activated in most human cancers. In the current in vivo study, eight nude mice received a MCF-7 xenograft and thereafter they were treated for 5 weeks with 0.1 mg/mL of melatonin in the drinking water. Melatonin treatment caused a significant reduction in the weight of tumors and reduced metastases when compared with the control group. As indicated by the Telomerase Repeats Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay, a significant decrease in telomerase activity was observed in the group treated with melatonin. In related in vitro studies, cultured MCF-7 cells were treated with three different concentrations of melatonin and a control without indole treatment. A significant dose-dependent decrease in Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the catalytic subunit of telomerase, mRNA expression was observed in the melatonin-treated cells. We also observed a significant reduction in TR, the RNA telomerase subunit, mRNA expression at physiological concentrations of melatonin (1 nm). Significant differences in TEP1, an associated telomerase protein, mRNA expression were also observed. In conclusion, melatonin influences telomerase both in vivo and in vitro, decreasing its activity in the tumors of nude mice and the mRNA expression of the TERT and TR subunits, essential factors for the proper function of the telomerase enzyme.

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Volume35, Issue3

October 2003

Pages 204-211

Melatonin inhibits telomerase activity in the MCF-7 tumor cell line both in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

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Melatonin inhibits telomerase activity in the MCF-7 tumor cell line both in vivo and in vitro

Abstract

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