The changes in telomerase activity and telomere length in HeLa cells undergoing apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate

The changes in telomerase activity and telomere length during apoptosis in HeLa cells as induced by sodium butyrate (SB) have been studied, After a 48 h SE treatment, HeLa cells demonstrated characteristic apoptotic hallmarks including chromatin condensation, formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA La ddering which were caused by the cleavage and degradation of DNA between nu cleosomes. There were no significant changes in telomerase activity of apop totic cells, while the telomere length shortened markedly. In the meanwhile , cells became more susceptible to apoptotic stimuli and telomere became mo re vulnerable to degradation after telomerase activity mas inhibited. All t he results suggest that the apoptosis induced by SE is closely related to t elomere shortening, while telomerase enhances resistance of HeLa cells to a poptotic stimuli by protecting telomere.