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Extratelomeric functions of telomerase
Hee Kyoung Chung1, Cheolho Cheong, Jaewhan Song
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Suwon 440-746, Korea.
Current Molecular Medicine
|June 25, 2005
Summary
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has functions beyond telomere maintenance, promoting cell survival and influencing gene expression. This review explores these extratelomeric roles and their implications.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is essential for telomere maintenance with the telomerase RNA component (TERC).
- Telomerase activity is linked to cell survival and preventing cell death in various cell types.
- Emerging evidence suggests telomere-independent functions of TERT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on the extratelomeric functions of TERT.
- To discuss the implications of these newly discovered TERT functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on TERT.
- Analysis of experimental data regarding TERT localization and function.
- Synthesis of findings on telomere-dependent and independent TERT activities.
Main Results:
- TERT exhibits functions independent of telomere lengthening, contributing to cell survival.
- TERT influences tumorigenesis and regulates genes involved in cell growth.
- TERT has been localized to both the nucleus and cytosol, supporting extratelomeric roles.
Conclusions:
- TERT possesses significant extratelomeric functions that impact cell survival and gene regulation.
- These functions cannot be solely explained by telomere stabilization.
- Further research into TERT's extratelomeric activities is warranted to understand its full biological impact.