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Telomeres and telomerase: A dual role in hepatocarcinogenesis
Author(s) -
Satyanarayana Ande,
Manns Michael P.,
Rudolph K. Lenhard
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.20308
Subject(s) - telomere , telomerase , carcinogenesis , cancer research , telomerase reverse transcriptase , chromosome instability , biology , dual role , mechanism (biology) , cancer , tumor progression , genome instability , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , chemistry , dna , dna damage , gene , chromosome , philosophy , epistemology , combinatorial chemistry
Abstract Telomere shortening limits the proliferative capacity of primary human cells and restrains the regenerative capacity of organ systems during chronic diseases and aging. Telomere shortening apparently has a dual role in tumor development and progression. On the one hand, it induces chromosomal instability and the initiation of cancer; on the other hand, tumor progression requires stabilization of telomeres. The predominant mechanism of telomere stabilization in tumor cells is the activation of the telomere‐synthesizing enzyme telomerase. The potential use of telomerase activators for the treatment of regenerative disorders will ultimately depend on their effects on tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the role of telomere shortening and telomerase in carcinogenesis with a special focus on hepatocellular carcinoma. (H EPATOLOGY 2004;40:276–283.)