Abstract
Telomeres are specialized structures at the ends of chromosomes, consisting of hundreds of repeated hexanucleotides (TTAGGG)n. Genetic integrity is partly maintained by the architecture of telomeres and it is gradually lost as telomeres progressively shorten with each cell replication, due to incomplete lagging DNA strand synthesis and oxidative damage. Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase enzyme that counteracts telomere shortening by adding telomeric repeats to the G-rich strand. It is composed of a telomerase RNA component and a protein component, telomerase reverse transcriptase. In the absence of telomerase or when the activity of the enzyme is low compared to the replicative erosion, apoptosis is triggered. Patients who have inherited genetic defects in telomere maintenance seem to have an increased risk of developing familial benign diseases or malignant diseases. At the somatic level, telomerase is reactivated in the majority of human carcinomas, suggesting that telomerase reactivation is a critical step for cancerogenesis. In sporadic thyroid carcinoma telomerase activity is detectable in nearly 50% of thyroid cancer tissues and some authors proposed that the detection of telomerase activity may be used for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid tumours. Recently a germline alteration of telomere-telomerase complex has been identified in patients with familial papillary thyroid cancer, characterized by short telomeres and increased expression and activity of telomerase compared to patients with sporadic papillary thyroid cancer. In this report, we will review the role of telomere-telomerase complex in sporadic and familial thyroid cancer.
Keywords: Thyroid cancer, telomeres, hTERT
Current Genomics
Title: Telomeres and Thyroid Cancer
Volume: 10 Issue: 8
Author(s): Marco Capezzone, Stefania Marchisotta, Silvia Cantara and Furio Pacini
Affiliation:
Keywords: Thyroid cancer, telomeres, hTERT
Abstract: Telomeres are specialized structures at the ends of chromosomes, consisting of hundreds of repeated hexanucleotides (TTAGGG)n. Genetic integrity is partly maintained by the architecture of telomeres and it is gradually lost as telomeres progressively shorten with each cell replication, due to incomplete lagging DNA strand synthesis and oxidative damage. Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase enzyme that counteracts telomere shortening by adding telomeric repeats to the G-rich strand. It is composed of a telomerase RNA component and a protein component, telomerase reverse transcriptase. In the absence of telomerase or when the activity of the enzyme is low compared to the replicative erosion, apoptosis is triggered. Patients who have inherited genetic defects in telomere maintenance seem to have an increased risk of developing familial benign diseases or malignant diseases. At the somatic level, telomerase is reactivated in the majority of human carcinomas, suggesting that telomerase reactivation is a critical step for cancerogenesis. In sporadic thyroid carcinoma telomerase activity is detectable in nearly 50% of thyroid cancer tissues and some authors proposed that the detection of telomerase activity may be used for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid tumours. Recently a germline alteration of telomere-telomerase complex has been identified in patients with familial papillary thyroid cancer, characterized by short telomeres and increased expression and activity of telomerase compared to patients with sporadic papillary thyroid cancer. In this report, we will review the role of telomere-telomerase complex in sporadic and familial thyroid cancer.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Capezzone Marco, Marchisotta Stefania, Cantara Silvia and Pacini Furio, Telomeres and Thyroid Cancer, Current Genomics 2009; 10 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920209789503897
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920209789503897 |
Print ISSN 1389-2029 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5488 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advanced Computational Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Pharmacogenomics
In the era of personalized medicine, understanding the relationship between genetics and drug response is crucial. This issue delves into innovative methodologies, leveraging deep computational analysis and artificial intelligence, to enhance the field of Clinical Pharmacogenomics. The interdisciplinary approach harnesses the power of advanced high-throughput genotyping technologies, sophisticated computational analysis, ...read more
Applications of Single-cell Sequencing Technology in Reproductive Medicine
Single cell sequencing (SCS) technology utilizes individual cells' genetic material to sequence their genome, transcriptome, and epigenetics at the molecular level. It offers insights into cell heterogeneity and enables the study of limited biological materials. Since its recognition as a valuable technique in 2011, single cell sequencing has yielded numerous ...read more
Big Data in Cancer Research
Cancer is a significant threat to human life and health, remaining a highly aggressive killer. It is a leading cause of death worldwide and represents a crucial medical issue for humanity. However, in the past decade, the effectiveness of new synthetic anticancer agents has not matched the current clinical speculation. ...read more
Current Genomics in Cardiovascular Research
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, in recent years we have had important advances in the interaction between cardiovascular disease and genomics. In this Research Topic, we intend for researchers to present their results with a focus on basic, translational and clinical investigations associated with ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Magnetic Nanoparticles: Properties, Synthesis and Biomedical Applications
Current Drug Metabolism Aptamers: Potential Applications to Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Patents Related to Phosphorylation Signaling Pathway on Cancer
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Selective Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Emerging Role of Cetuximab in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Targeting Angiogenesis for Treatment of NSCLC Brain Metastases
Current Cancer Drug Targets Negative Glucocorticoid Receptor Response Elements and their Role in Glucocorticoid Action
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pregnane X Receptor and its Potential Role in Drug Resistance in Cancer Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Microsatellite Instability (MSI) as Genomic Marker in Endometrial Cancer: Toward Scientific Evidences
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Aurora A and B Kinases - Targets of Novel Anticancer Drugs
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Pentoxifylline Use in Dermatology
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Novel Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: As<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, Retinoic Acid and Retinoid Pharmacology
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Role of Retinoids in the Adult Nervous System and their Therapeutic Potential
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Oncolytic Viruses: Programmable Tumour Hunters
Current Gene Therapy Bone Disruption and Environmental Pollutants
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Dithiocarbamates on the Mammalian Ovary with Particular Regard to Mancozeb
Current Pharmaceutical Design Micronutrients at the Interface Between Inflammation and Infection Ascorbic Acid and Calciferol. Part 2: Calciferol and the Significance of Nutrient Supplements
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Shear-Wave and Strain Elastography: A Comparative Review on Principles, Basic Techniques and Applications.
Current Medical Imaging Antibodies in Diagnostic Applications
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Novel Anti-Cancer Strategy in Bone Tumors by Targeting Molecular and Cellular Modulators of Bone Resorption
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery