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 AI Techniques in Big Genomic Data Analysis
The thematic issue on "Advanced AI Techniques in Big Genomic Data Analysis" aims to explore the cutting-edge methodologies and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of genomic research, where vast amounts of data pose both challenges and opportunities. This issue will cover a broad spectrum of AI-driven strategies, ...read more
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
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
-
Immune Deviation Strategies in the Therapy of Psoriasis
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Viral Mediated Gene Therapy for the Management of Metastatic Thyroid Carcinoma
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Selenium and Clinical Trials: New Therapeutic Evidence for Multiple Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Lactones: Generic Inhibitors of Enzymes?
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Key miRNAs in Modulating Aging and Longevity: A Focus on Signaling Pathways and Cellular Targets
Current Molecular Pharmacology Network Systems Underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome and Herb Formula
Current Bioinformatics Epidemiology and Costs of Hypertension-related Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology United States Patent Watch (January – March 2016)
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Cross Talk between the Cardiovascular and Nervous Systems:Neurotrophic Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Angiogenic Effects of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-Implications in Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Stem Cell and Gene Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Current Molecular Medicine Targeting Stem Cells-Clinical Implications for Cancer Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Current Immune Therapies of Autoimmune Disease of the Nervous System with Special Emphasis to Multiple Sclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design The IGF-I Axis in Thyroid Carcinoma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Aptamers: Potential Applications to Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Mechanism of Action of Flavonoids as Anti-inflammatory Agents: A Review
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) The Gut Microbiota and the Emergence of Autoimmunity: Relevance to Major Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design LRIGs: A Prognostically Significant Family with Emerging Therapeutic Competence against Cancers
Current Cancer Drug Targets Natural Product-Inspired Synthesis of Thiazolidine and Thiazolidinone Compounds and their Anticancer Activities
Current Pharmaceutical Design Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ATPase Inhibitors in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Elimination of Fluoride, Arsenic, and Nitrate from Water Through Adsorption onto Nano-adsorbent: A Review
Current Nanoscience