Interrupting the Development of Cancer Cells
New study decouples chromosomal processes involved in cancer cell division
Think of chromosomes as nature’s shoelaces. Built from DNA, these thread-like structures carry and ferry the genetic information necessary for life. To maintain genetic integrity, chromosomes possess protective structures located at their ends called telomeres. These telomeres are like the plastic tips of shoelaces, preventing the genetic thread from unraveling as cells continuously divide.
Integral to the telomere maintenance process is the enzyme telomerase, which replenishes the DNA sequences in the telomere structure. Also important to this process is a six-subunit protein complex called shelterin, which is responsible for recruiting and activating telomerase enzymes.
“Telomerase, along with the maintenance of telomeres, is incredibly important for long-term cell proliferation,” said Associate Professor Lifeng Xu, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.
“If you have failure in telomerase function,” added Xu, “telomeres shorten and you get premature senescence of the stem cells or premature loss of viability in the stem cells.”