Telomerase and immortalization

Abstract

The lifetime of a cell is set by the terminal ends of our chromosomes, ageing timers called telomeres. Most dividing cells, not exceptional for cancers, require telomeres to protect chromosomes. However, telomere erosion occurs at every cell cycle, thus imposing a proliferative capacity, eventually triggering a growth arrest. Cancer cells must overcome this proliferative limit in order to continue dividing. In the vast majority of cases, the growth and progression of cancers correlates with the upregulation of telomerase, an enzyme that replenishes telomeres. Telomerase is not active in normal, differentiated cells and its reactivation in cancer renders cells immortal and promotes their continued growth and development. Curiously, in cancer telomerase maintains short telomeres, retaining chromosome instability. Here, we briefly take you through history of cellular mortality with the connection to telomeres and telomerase and review their function in the normal cell to address their role during the transformation to malignancy.