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Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...

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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Telomerase activity in canine osteosarcoma.

K Kow¹, S M Bailey, E S Williams

¹Animal Cancer Center, Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. kkow@colostate.edu

Veterinary and Comparative Oncology

|September 17, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) frequently exhibits telomerase activity, unlike human OSA. This suggests canine OSA is a valuable model for aggressive human forms and may respond better to anti-telomerase therapies.

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Area of Science:

Veterinary Oncology
Molecular Biology
Cancer Research

Background:

Appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs.
Standard treatment (amputation and chemotherapy) offers a poor prognosis, with median survival times around one year.
Telomere maintenance via telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is crucial for tumor development and malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the presence and frequency of telomerase activity in canine osteosarcoma.
To investigate canine osteosarcoma as a model for human disease and potential therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was utilized.
Analysis was performed on five canine osteosarcoma cell lines.
Six clinical samples from dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma at amputation were evaluated.

Main Results:

Telomerase activity was detected in 100% of canine osteosarcoma cell lines.
Telomerase activity was present in 83% of clinical canine osteosarcoma samples.
This contrasts with human osteosarcoma, where telomerase expression ranges from 25-40%.

Conclusions:

Canine osteosarcoma exhibits high telomerase activity, suggesting it is a suitable model for aggressive, telomerase-positive human osteosarcoma.
The high prevalence of telomerase activity indicates that anti-telomerase therapies may be more effective in treating canine osteosarcoma than in most human patients.