Overexpressed mortalin (mot-2)/mthsp70/GRP75 and hTERT cooperate to extend the in vitro lifespan of human fibroblasts

Exp Cell Res. 2003 May 15;286(1):96-101. doi: 10.1016/s0014-4827(03)00101-0.

Abstract

The lifespan of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF5), cultured under standard in vitro conditions (including ambient atmospheric oxygen tension), was extended slightly by expression of exogenous mortalin (mot-2)/mthsp70/Grp75, but not by the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT. Together, mot-2 and hTERT permitted bypass of senescence, a substantial extension of lifespan, and possibly immortalization. This is the first demonstration that mot-2 and telomerase can cooperate in the immortalization process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Telomerase / genetics
  • Telomerase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPA9 protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • mortalin
  • Telomerase