Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

28.2K
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...
28.2K
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

7.8K
7.8K
Replication in Eukaryotes02:31

Replication in Eukaryotes

206.9K
Overview
206.9K
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

18.6K
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...
18.6K
Translesion DNA Polymerases02:10

Translesion DNA Polymerases

11.5K
Translesion (TLS) polymerases rescue stalled DNA polymerases at sites of damaged bases by replacing the replicative polymerase and installing a nucleotide across the damaged site. Doing so, TLS allows additional time for the cell to repair the damage before resuming regular DNA replication.
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...
11.5K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

4.6K
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...
4.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

ZW4864-mediated inhibition of the β-catenin/BCL9/BCL9L complex reveals therapeutic potential in bladder cancer.

Molecular oncology·2026
Same author

CRISPR and compound screens in a novel ex vivo tissue model identify DDR1 and ETA as regulators of cancer cell invasion.

Cellular & molecular biology letters·2026
Same author

Cockayne syndrome mutation in XPG activate the integrated stress response.

Human genetics·2026
Same author

CD44 upregulation in chronic liver disease marks the transition to hepatocellular carcinoma and portends poor prognosis.

British journal of cancer·2025
Same author

Loss of p190A RhoGAP induces aneuploidy and enhances bladder cancer cell migration and invasion by modulating actin dynamics.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Peptide-based inhibition of CD44v6 renders liver carcinomas more susceptible to therapeutic intervention.

Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany)·2025
Same journal

Tissue MicroRNAs in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review of Studies in Human Myocardium and Animal Models with Implications for Post-Mortem Molecular Diagnostics.

Genes·2026
Same journal

Genetic Variants and Dental Caries Susceptibility: An Umbrella Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis.

Genes·2026
Same journal

Generative AI and Language Models in Human Genetics and Health: From Variant Interpretation to Clinical Decision Support.

Genes·2026
Same journal

Familial White-Sutton Syndrome Caused by a Pathogenic POGZ p.Arg508* Variant: Intrafamilial Variability from Childhood to Adulthood.

Genes·2026
Same journal

Genetic Influence on LDL-Cholesterol Levels: Role of Polygenic Risk Scores and Lp(a) Beyond Monogenic Hypercholesterolemia.

Genes·2026
Same journal

THBS1 as a Key Regulator of Myoblasts: Validation of Its Inhibitory Roles in Skeletal Muscle Development.

Genes·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

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

12.1K

Telomerase: The Devil Inside.

Mukesh Kumar1, Andre Lechel2, Çagatay Güneş3

  • 1Department of Urology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany. mukesh.kumar@uniklinik-ulm.de.

Genes
|August 3, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Telomerase activity is common in cancers, but its reactivation timing—early in stem cells or late in transformation—remains debated. Understanding this impacts cancer therapies and anti-aging strategies.

Keywords:
cancerstem cellstelomerasetelomere

More Related Videos

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
08:26

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein

Published on: June 12, 2018

10.5K
Author Spotlight: Advanced Single-Molecule Techniques for Investigating Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions
11:21

Author Spotlight: Advanced Single-Molecule Techniques for Investigating Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions

Published on: August 30, 2024

1.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2026

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

12.1K
Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
08:26

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein

Published on: June 12, 2018

10.5K
Author Spotlight: Advanced Single-Molecule Techniques for Investigating Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions
11:21

Author Spotlight: Advanced Single-Molecule Techniques for Investigating Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions

Published on: August 30, 2024

1.4K

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • High telomerase activity is a hallmark of nearly all human cancers, contrasting with its absence in most normal somatic cells.
  • Telomere maintenance in tumors occurs via telomerase reactivation, originating from telomerase-positive stem cells, or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT).
  • Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations are frequent non-coding mutations in human cancers, fueling debate on telomerase's role in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of telomerase in telomerase-positive tumors.
  • To discuss the implications of TERT promoter mutations on the origin of cancer.
  • To evaluate the pros and cons of telomere length-dependent and independent functions of telomerase in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on telomerase activity in cancer.
  • Analysis of findings related to TERT promoter mutations in human cancers.
  • Discussion of telomere length-dependent and independent functions of telomerase.

Main Results:

  • TERT promoter mutations are the most common non-coding mutations in human cancer, prompting re-evaluation of telomerase's role.
  • The review discusses two main concepts: cancer originating from telomerase-positive stem cells versus telomerase reactivation as a late event in transformation.
  • Telomere and telomerase functions are explored in both telomere length-dependent and independent contexts.

Conclusions:

  • The timing of telomerase reactivation (early vs. late) in cancer development is a critical, ongoing discussion.
  • Findings on TERT mutations necessitate a re-evaluation of telomere and telomerase-based therapeutic strategies.
  • This review may inform future directions for telomerase inhibition in cancer therapy and telomerase activation for regenerative medicine and anti-aging.