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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
08:26
Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
Published on: June 12, 2018
10.1K
[Viruses and telomerase]
1Équipe télomérase, lymphome viro-induit, UPR086-Base, Centre de recherches INRA de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France.
Virologie (Montrouge, France)
|November 4, 2021
Summary
Viral infections can activate telomerase, an enzyme crucial for cancer cell immortalization. Some viruses directly encode viral telomerase RNA (vTR), boosting activity beyond cellular counterparts.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Viral infections are linked to cancer development.
- Telomerase activity is found in over 85% of human cancers, aiding immortalization.
- The precise link between viruses and telomerase activation is a recent discovery.
Purpose:
- To explore the correlation between viral infections and telomerase activation in cancer.
- To understand the mechanisms by which viruses modulate telomerase activity.
- To highlight the unique role of Marek's Disease herpesvirus's viral telomerase RNA (vTR).
Summary:
- Telomerase, composed of RNA (TR) and TERT protein, is upregulated in most cancers.
- Viruses can dysregulate telomerase by altering TERT expression, nuclear localization, or through genome integration.
- Marek's Disease herpesvirus encodes vTR, which enhances telomerase activity more than cellular cTR.
Impact:
- This research deepens the understanding of viral oncogenesis.
- It identifies potential therapeutic targets for virus-associated cancers.
- It sheds light on the role of viral genetic material in manipulating host cell processes.
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