The molecular basis of proliferative
capacity of hTERT was investigated by gene expression microarray. Analysis of microarray data for HeLa
cells following siRNA and shRNA mediated knockdown of hTERT showed that 80 genes were upregulated and
73 genes downregulated. Out of these, 37 genes are known to be involved in cancer. Further analyses of previously
known genes involved in cancer like KLF4, FGF2, IRF-9 and PLAU by Real Time PCR showed their upregulation.
We are documenting for the first time the effect of knocking down hTERT on expression of KLF4 and FGF2. Interestingly,
it has been earlier reported that KLF4 and FGF2 up-regulate the expression of hTERT in cancer cells. This
suggests that hTERT may be subject to its own auto-regulatory effects.