Regulation of hTERT gene expression

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T lymphocytes are exceptional in that they express a telomerase elongation enzyme (hTERT), though they are normal. hTERT expression contributes to long-life memory T lymphocytes via senescence prevention. We examined molecular mechanism of hTERT gene expression in human T cells. The hTERT promoter contains a DNA element which regulates hTERT expression. The transcription factor KLF2 binds to the element, resulting in repression of hTERT expression in growth resting cells. In growing cells, KLF2 is not associated with the element. DNA methylation of the element is seen in T leukemic T cells. DNA methylated element can not bind to KLF2, constitutively expressing hTERT.