Profile of Human TERT and P73 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Compared to Normal Human Oral Mucosa: a Preliminary Study

Genetic alteration on p53 allows cellular immortalization and predisposes cells to neoplastic transformation. This immortalization is related to telomere length maintenance by telomerase. Human TERT is a key component of telomerase, which activity is suppressed by p53. The p73, the homolog of p53, has a similar ability in tumor suppression. The P73 is expressed at a different level in various cancer cells and normal tissues. Profile of human TERT and P73 in mutant p53 OSCC cell line and normal human oral mucosa have not been known. Objective: To observe human TERT and P73 profile in mutant p53 OSCC cell lines and normal human oral mucosa. Methods: The extracted protein of HSC-3 and HSC-4 cell lines and normal mucosal tissues were analyzed with SDS PAGE to detect human TERT and p73 expression based on the molecular weight. Results: The HSC-3 cell line showed thicker band density of P73 compared to its density of HSC-4. Only 50% of normal oral mucosa tissue showed thick P73 band density. The human TERT band was clearly shown in HSC-3 and HSC-4 cell lines but not in normal oral mucosa. Conclusion: Different profile of human TERT and P73 in OSCC cell lines and normal oral mucosa might be cell-type specific and influenced by the status of p53. Analysis of the role of p73 in these cancers might need further research to determine possible p73 substitution for p53 function.