Telomerase regulation: A key to inhibition? (Review)

Gómez,Diego  L. Mengual; Farina,Hernán   G.; Gómez,Daniel  E.

doi:10.3892/ijo.2013.2104

Telomerase regulation: A key to inhibition? (Review)

Authors:
- Diego L. Mengual Gómez
- Hernán G. Farina
- Daniel E. Gómez
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Affiliations: Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Published online on: September 16, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2104
Pages: 1351-1356

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Abstract

Telomerase has been recognized as a common factor in most tumor cells, and in turn a distinctive feature with respect to non-malignant cells. This feature has made telomerase a promising target for cancer therapy. Telomerase studies revealed that it is a multi-subunit complex possessing different levels of regulation, including control of expression, phosphorylation state, assembly and transportation to sites of activity. Thus, we emphasize that targeting telomerase expression or activity is not the only way to shorten telomeres, induce cell senescence and apoptosis. Therefore, there are multiple sites capable of allowing the modulation of its enzymatic activity. In the development of strategies based on the regulation of telomerase activity the understanding of the mechanisms regulating their subunits is essential. Based on this, in this review we summarize the current state of knowledge of some regulatory mechanisms of the components of the telomerase complex, and hypothetize their potential therapeutic application against cancer.

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