Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
10:14
Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay
Published on: September 2, 2014
Telomerase activity in human gynaecological malignancies
H Gorham1, K Yoshida, T Sugino
1Nuffield Department of Pathology and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK.
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Telomerase activity is elevated in solid gynecological tumors but not reliable for detecting exfoliated cancer cells in smears or fluids. Further research is needed for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Telomerase is an enzyme crucial for cell replication.
- Its activity is often associated with cancer development.
- Understanding telomerase in gynecological cancers is important for diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical utility of telomerase activity for detecting malignant cells in gynecological specimens.
- To investigate telomerase activity in various gynecological tissues and exfoliated cells.
Main Methods:
- Telomerase activity was measured in frozen tissue samples from endometrial, ovarian, and cervical lesions.
- Assessed activity in exfoliated cells from cervical smears and ascitic fluid from ovarian tumors.
Main Results:
- Solid tumor tissues from the endometrium, cervix, and ovary showed high telomerase activity.
- Normal cervical and ovarian tissues were negative, but normal endometrium showed activity.
- Exfoliated cells in cervical smears and ascitic fluid rarely showed detectable telomerase activity.
Conclusions:
- Increased telomerase activity in solid gynecological tumors confirms its role in neoplasia.
- Telomerase activity is not yet a reliable marker for detecting exfoliated cancerous or precancerous cells in clinical samples.
- Guarded interpretation is advised pending further extensive studies.
More Related Videos
08:34Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
Published on: April 13, 2015
09:13Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells
Published on: January 17, 2019
Related Concept Videos
02:41Telomeres 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.
03:18Non-LTR Retrotransposons
As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
02:15Replicative 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...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:29Replication in Eukaryotes
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...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...