Expression analysis of the MCPH1/BRIT1 and BRCA1 tumor suppressor genes and telomerase splice variants in epithelial ovarian cancer.

•High total hTERT expression was associated with low MCPH1/BRIT1 expression.•A strong positive association between MCPH1/BRIT1 and both α−/β+ and α−/β− hTERT.•A negative association between MCPH1/BRIT1 and the functional form of hTERT α+/β+.•A positive association between BRCA1 and α−/β+ hTERT and α−/β− hTERT expression.•These findings support a regulatory effect of MCPH1/BRIT1 and BRCA1 on telomerase activity.