Telomeres and Cancer

Author: Hueng-Chuen Fan1,2,3,4, Fung-Wei Chang5, Jeng-Dau Tsai6,7, Kao-Min Lin8, Chuan-Mu Chen4,9, Shinn-Zong Lin10,11,12, Ching-Ann Liu10,11,13, Horng-Jyh Harn10,11,14
Affiliation:
1 Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Wuchi, Taichung 435, Taiwan.
2 Department of Medical Research, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Wuchi, Taichung 435, Taiwan.
3 Department of Rehabilitation, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 356, Taiwan.
4 Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
5 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan.
6 School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
7 Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
8 Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Xiamen 361015, China.
9 The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, and Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
10 Buddhist Tzu Chi Bioinnovation Center, Tzu Chi Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
11 Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
12 Department of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
13 Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
14 Department of Pathology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
Conference/Journal: Life (Basel)
Date published: 2021 Dec 16
Other: Volume ID: 11 , Issue ID: 12 , Pages: 1405 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/life11121405. , Word Count: 133


Telomeres cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and are indispensable chromatin structures for genome protection and replication. Telomere length maintenance has been attributed to several functional modulators, including telomerase, the shelterin complex, and the CST complex, synergizing with DNA replication, repair, and the RNA metabolism pathway components. As dysfunctional telomere maintenance and telomerase activation are associated with several human diseases, including cancer, the molecular mechanisms behind telomere length regulation and protection need particular emphasis. Cancer cells exhibit telomerase activation, enabling replicative immortality. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activation is involved in cancer development through diverse activities other than mediating telomere elongation. This review describes the telomere functions, the role of functional modulators, the implications in cancer development, and the future therapeutic opportunities.

Keywords: CST; promoter mutations; shelterin; telomerase; telomerase reverse transcriptase.

PMID: 34947936 DOI: 10.3390/life11121405

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