['To examine the influence of dose, dose-rate and radiation quality on telomerase activity (TA) in the KG1a hematopoietic cell line.', 'KG1a cells were irradiated with gamma-rays (0.5-5 Gy) at 0.025 Gy/min, 0.30 Gy/min and 1.57 Gy/min and with a neutron/gamma-ray field (5 Gy). Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were evaluated by flow cytometry. Proliferative capacity was studied by MTS assay and TA by PCR. Following 3Gy gamma-irradiation, the expression of hTERT, hTR and TP1 genes was evaluated by RT-PCR.', 'Dose- and dose-rate-dependent telomerase activation with an increase in hTERT mRNA and a drop in hTP1 mRNA were observed after irradiation. Down-regulation of telomerase activity occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Although non-significant changes in short-term survival were observed after irradiation, late apoptosis became evident after G2/M arrest. Early repression of TA preceded telomerase activation in samples irradiated with a neutron/gamma-ray field, in which short-term survival was affected.'] Is radiation-induced up-regulation of telomerase in KG1a cells influenced by dose-rate and radiation quality?