Kontogeorgos G, Kovacs K
Department of Pathology, G. Gennimatas Athens General Hospital, Greece.
Endocrine. 1998 Oct;9(2):133-8. doi: 10.1385/ENDO:9:2:133.
Telomeres representing repetitive DNA sequences of chromosome ends are necessary for maintaining chromosomal integrity. The enzyme telomerase synthesizes de novo telomeric repeats and incorporates them onto the DNA 3'-ends of chromosomes. Stability of chromosome ends and activation of telomerase are elementary requirements for cell immortalization and tumor progression. The telomeric length and telomerase activity have been recently studied in several human neoplasms, including those of endocrine tissues. Assessment of telomerase activity may help to distinguish normal or hyperplastic from neoplastic tissues. Inhibition or inactivation of telomerase activity may provide novel strategies for cancer therapy.
端粒代表染色体末端的重复DNA序列，对于维持染色体完整性至关重要。端粒酶可从头合成端粒重复序列，并将其整合到染色体的DNA 3'末端。染色体末端的稳定性和端粒酶的激活是细胞永生化和肿瘤进展的基本要求。最近在几种人类肿瘤中，包括内分泌组织肿瘤中，对端粒长度和端粒酶活性进行了研究。评估端粒酶活性可能有助于区分正常或增生组织与肿瘤组织。抑制或灭活端粒酶活性可能为癌症治疗提供新策略。
