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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.

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Published on: August 28, 2012

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in ovarian tumors.

Awadh Ali Makhashen Maraei¹, Ahmad Zailani Hatta, Mohd Sidik Shiran

¹Department of Pathology and Obstetrics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology

|July 10, 2012

Summary

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is highly expressed in ovarian epithelial carcinoma but does not significantly differentiate it from borderline tumors. Combining hTERT immunohistochemistry with serum CA-125 may aid in diagnosing difficult ovarian tumor cases.

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In vitro Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Tumor-initiating Cells

In vitro Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Tumor-initiating Cells

Published on: February 18, 2015

Area of Science:

Oncology
Biomarker Research

Background:

Ovarian cancer is a common malignancy with diagnostic challenges in distinguishing borderline tumors from malignant ones.
The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for borderline ovarian tumors are based on assessing stromal invasion, mitotic activity, and nuclear abnormalities.
Telomerase, specifically human telomerase enzyme reverse transcriptase (hTERT), is a potential cancer biomarker due to its expression in various human cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the expression of hTERT protein and serum CA-125 levels in ovarian epithelial tumors.
To assess the utility of hTERT and CA-125 in differentiating borderline ovarian tumors from malignant ones.

Main Methods:

A retrospective study involving 68 ovarian epithelial tumors (41 cystadenocarcinoma, 22 borderline, 5 cystadenoma).
Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate hTERT expression, graded as negative, focal, regional, or diffuse positivity.
Serum CA-125 levels were also analyzed in relation to tumor type.

Main Results:

hTERT protein expression was observed in 71.4% of ovarian cystadenocarcinomas, 59.1% of borderline tumors, and 0% of cystadenomas.
hTERT and CA-125 showed a linear relationship with tumor grade and stage.
hTERT protein presented as large granules/speckles in the cytoplasm and nuclei of ovarian tumor cells.

Conclusions:

hTERT protein is highly expressed in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, but the difference in expression between carcinoma and borderline tumors was not statistically significant (P=0.51).
hTERT alone is not an independent biomarker for distinguishing borderline from malignant ovarian tumors.
A combined approach using hTERT immunohistochemistry and serum CA-125 is suggested for evaluating challenging cases where histological evaluation is inconclusive.