The effect of antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the RNA component of human telomerase on telomerase activity in cell extracts of the melanoma cell line SK-Mel-28 has been studied. It has been shown that the antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the hTR component in the region of the template synthesis of telomeric repeats is the most efficient inhibitor of telomerase activity in comparison with other antisense oligonucleotides. Pronounced inhibition of telomerase activity was observed at the oligonucleotide (Tel P5) concentration in the reaction mixture of about 5 nM. Complete inhibition of the enzyme occurs at the oligonucleotide concentration in the sample of about 20 nM.
Copyright 1998 Academic Press.