OBJECTIVETo study relation of the expression of hTERT mRNA and cyclin A, p53 protein, proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ameloblastoma (AB) and to investigate clinical biological characteristics of AB.

METHODSThe hTERT mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization, cyclin A, p53 protein and PCNA by SP method. Normal oral mucosa and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) are comparition.

RESULTSThe positive ratio of hTERT mRNA was 1/7 cases in normal oral mucosa. The expression of cyclin A, p53 and PCNA in normal oral mucosa were similar, and the positive cells distributed in stratum basale. In OKC, the positive cells distributed in stratum basale and super-strrtum basale. And the positive ratio of hTERT, cyclin A, p53, PCNA in OKC was 14/16 cases, 4/32 cases, 11/25 cases, 5/9 cases, respectively. In AB, the positive ratio of hTERT mRNA, cyclin A, p53 protein and PCNA was 94.4% (51/54), 66.7% (40/60), 85.7% (42/49) and 78.1% (25/32), respectively. A strong correlation was found between hTERT mRNA with cyclin A, p53 protein and PCNA (r(s) = 0.914, 0.848, 0.804, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of hTETR mRNA, cyclin A, p53 and PCNA is different in different tissues and lesions, and correlates with cell differentiation and clinical biology behaviour. Telomerase activity is related to cumulation of p53 protein, related to cell proliferation and differentiation, regulated by cyclin A, and higher in S phase.