p23 plays an essential role in the nuclear localization of hTERT. A, H1299 cells transfected with hTERT-HA and scrambled or p23 siRNA (sip23-1 or sip23-2) were treated with or without 10 μm MG132 for 2 h as specified. The protein levels of endogenous p23 and hTERT-HA were measured by immunoblotting as indicated. B, cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts were separately collected from H1299 cells transfected with hTERT-HA and scrambled or p23 siRNA and treated with 10 μm MG132 for 2 h. The protein levels of endogenous p23 and hTERT-HA were measured by immunoblotting. C, H1299 cells transfected with scrambled or p23 siRNA were treated with 10 μm MG132 for 2 h and subjected to indirect immunofluorescence with anti-hTERT (green) antibody, followed by fluorescent microscopic observation. The nuclei were stained with 4,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, blue). D, H1299 cells transfected with scrambled or p23 siRNA were analyzed for telomerase activity by the TRAP assay. ITAS represents the internal telomerase assay standard.