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Related Concept Videos

Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

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 Telomerase02:41

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 Senescence02:15

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...
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Genetic Screens02:46

Genetic Screens

Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing  genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

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Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
08:34

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Separation of telomerase functions by reverse genetics.

Shibani Mukherjee1, Eduardo J Firpo, Yang Wang

  • 1Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 28, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Human telomerase (hTERT) enhances cell proliferation independently of telomere length. This proliferative function, requiring catalytic activity, offers a new target for anti-cancer therapies.

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
08:34

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells
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Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Published on: January 17, 2019

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
09:25

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Published on: July 14, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Human telomerase (hTERT) synthesizes telomeric DNA and has diverse biological roles.
  • hTERT's other activities include promoting cell proliferation, reducing apoptosis, and regulating DNA damage responses.
  • The mechanistic links between hTERT's functions are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent function of hTERT in enhancing cell proliferation.
  • To determine if hTERT's proliferative advantage is linked to telomere elongation or other known activities.
  • To identify mechanisms underlying hTERT-mediated proliferation.

Main Methods:

  • Ectopic expression of hTERT and its mutants in primary human mammary epithelial cells.
  • Analysis of cell division rates and apoptosis.
  • Assessment of telomere length, cellular lifespan, DNA damage responses, Wnt signaling, cell cycle regulators, and mitochondrial RNA component levels.

Main Results:

  • Ectopic hTERT expression increased cell division and decreased apoptosis, conferring a proliferative advantage.
  • hTERT-mediated proliferation was uncoupled from telomere elongation, lifespan extension, and DNA damage response regulation.
  • hTERT's proliferative function requires catalytic activity, is independent of Wnt signaling, and involves altered cell cycle regulators and decreased mitochondrial RNA component levels.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced cell proliferation is an independent biological function of hTERT.
  • hTERT's proliferative activity can be dissociated from its telomere maintenance role.
  • hTERT's independent proliferative function presents a potential target for novel anti-cancer therapeutics.