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Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
Published on: April 13, 2015
Pro-atherogenic factors induce telomerase inactivation in endothelial cells through an Akt-dependent mechanism
K Breitschopf1, A M Zeiher, S Dimmeler
1Division of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract:
Advanced aging may contribute to impairment of angiogenesis and development of vascular diseases. Telomerase was shown to delay endothelial cell (EC) senescence. Therefore, we determined the regulation of telomerase activity in EC. Inhibition of phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) suppressed telomerase activity, whereas inhibitors directed against ERK1/2 or protein kinase C had no effect. Dominant negative Akt significantly reduced telomerase activity. Moreover, pro-atherogenic stimuli such as oxidized low density lipoprotein led to an inactivation of Akt and diminished telomerase activity. Thus, the PI3K/Akt pathway plays an important role in the regulation of telomerase activity. Pro-atherosclerotic factors impair telomerase activity and thereby may promote EC aging.
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