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Molecular Pathology : MP logoLink to Molecular Pathology : MP
. 1998 Apr;51(2):110–112. doi: 10.1136/mp.51.2.110

A non-isotopic method for the detection of telomerase activity in tumour tissues: TRAP-silver staining assay.

J M Wen 1, L B Sun 1, M Zhang 1, M H Zheng 1
PMCID: PMC395620  PMID: 9713596

Abstract

Telomerase activity has been observed in a high proportion of specimens from a wide variety of human malignant tumours, but not in non-neoplastic tissues. Measurement of telomerase activity is a possible diagnostic maker for malignant tumours. A non-isotopic telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) silver staining method for the detection of telomerase activity in human bone tumour tissues is described. The TRAP-silver staining method was quick, safe, and effective, and can be used as a routine diagnostic method for the detection of telomerase activity in bone tumours.

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Selected References

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