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Triethylene tetramine, a novel ligand of G-quadruplex, induces senescence of MCF-7 cells

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Abstract

Interference with telomerase and telomere maintenance is emerging as an attractive target for antitumor therapies. Ligands stabilizing G-quadruplexes have the potential to interfere with telomere replication by blocking the elongation of telomeres in tumors. Here, we report that long-term treatment with triethylene tetramine (TETA), at 50 or 100 μM, induced marked cellular senescence phenotypes accompanied by increased time of population doubling of MCF-7 cells. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including p53 and p21, were also upregulated in TETA-treated MCF-7 cells. TETA is therefore as novel ligand of G-quadruplex and can induce tumor senescence; it is a promising material for tumor treatment.

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grants from Chongqing Science and Technology Committee (CSTC, 2005BA5023) and Chongqing Municipal Education Committee (050703).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Chemobiology, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing, 400067, China

    Guo Lixia, Yin Fei, Jing Jiajia & Liu Jianhui

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  1. Guo Lixia
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  2. Yin Fei
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  3. Jing Jiajia
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  4. Liu Jianhui
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liu Jianhui.

Additional information

Guo Lixia and Yin Fei equally contributed to this work.

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Lixia, G., Fei, Y., Jiajia, J. et al. Triethylene tetramine, a novel ligand of G-quadruplex, induces senescence of MCF-7 cells. Biotechnol Lett 30, 47–53 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-007-9513-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-007-9513-4

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