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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...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 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

AZT as a telomerase inhibitor.

Daniel E Gomez1, Romina G Armando, Daniel F Alonso

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Frontiers in Oncology
|September 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Azidothymidine (AZT), an HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor, effectively inhibits telomerase by binding to telomeres. This inhibition promotes tumor cell senescence and apoptosis, offering potential anticancer therapeutic strategies.

Keywords:
AZTinhibitorstelomerasetelomere

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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

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Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay
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Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

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Last Updated: May 18, 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
09:13

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

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Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay
10:14

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Published on: September 2, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase crucial for maintaining telomere length.
  • Telomerase is active in embryonic cells but repressed in adulthood, yet reexpressed in ~85% of solid tumors.
  • This reexpression makes telomerase a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of telomerase inhibition by azidothymidine (AZT).
  • To explore the potential of AZT as an anticancer therapeutic agent by targeting telomerase.
  • To discuss future treatment protocols involving AZT for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Investigating azidothymidine (AZT) as an inhibitor of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).
  • Analyzing AZT's preferential binding to telomeres.
  • Evaluating the effects of AZT on tumor cell senescence and apoptosis in breast mammary adenocarcinoma cells.

Main Results:

  • Azidothymidine (AZT) preferentially binds to telomeres.
  • AZT effectively inhibits telomerase activity.
  • AZT treatment leads to enhanced tumor cell senescence and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Azidothymidine (AZT) demonstrates significant potential as a telomerase inhibitor for anticancer therapy.
  • AZT's ability to induce senescence and apoptosis in tumor cells supports its clinical relevance.
  • Further development of AZT-based treatment protocols is warranted for future cancer treatment strategies.