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[Telomerase inhibitor]
1Dept. of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Human normal somatic cells and tissues have undetectable or very weak telomerase activity and shorten telomere size at each cell division resulting in a limited proliferative life span. Human germ tissues and most tumor tissues have telomerase activity and maintain telomere size during cell proliferation resulting in unlimited growth. Telomerase is expected to be a new target for cancer chemotherapy. Cultured tumor cells are shown to die after losing telomerase activity.
Insights
Human somatic cells have limited growth due to telomere shortening, while germ and tumor cells with telomerase activity exhibit unlimited proliferation. Telomerase is a promising target for cancer chemotherapy, as its inhibition leads to tumor cell death.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology