Effects of androgens on telomerase activity in normal and malignant prostate cells in vitro

BACKGROUND. Recent studies have shown that sex hormones regulate telomerase activity in endometrium and breast tissues. The present study was designed to clarify the effects of androgen on telomerase activity in normal and ma lignant prostate cells. METHODS. Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and -independent (TSU-Pr1 and DU145) pr ostate cancer cell lines and normal prostate cells including basal cells we re cultured in the presence or absence of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) . RESULTS. Prostate cancer cell lines exhibited high telomerase activity, and normal prostate cells showed low activity. Short or prolonged androgen-dep rivation reduced telomerase activity in LNCaP cells, and DHT induced telome rase activity at the G(1) phase of the cell cycle. DHT did not modulate tel omerase activity in TSU-Pr1, DU145, and normal cells. CONCLUSIONS. LNCaP cells had an androgen-dependent pathway to activate telo merase, whereas TSU-Pr1 and DU145 cells as well as normal prostate cells ha d an androgen-independent pathway. These findings suggest that the regulato ry mechanism of telomerase varies during the progression of prostate cancer s. Prostate 43:161-168, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.