Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs

Introduction

Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes that aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. The resynthesis of telomeres is supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergo telomerase activity where every division of cells shortens the length of telomeres at chromosomal ends. In somatic cells, when a critical length of telomeres is reached, they cause replicative senescence that may induce apoptosis in cells. The majority of human cancer cells show an upregulation in the expression level of telomerase that endows tumor cells with higher proliferation rates. Keeping in view the crucial role of telomerase in cancer and aging, the development of small molecule drugs and non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, micro-RNAs, etc.) that target telomerase in cancer and individual aging has been a recent focus in research. Inhibiting the growth of tumor cells using small molecule drugs and non-coding RNAs, along with delayed aging by modulating telomerase activity in telomere syndromes or similar diseases, has remained an ever-increasing priority. Moreover, recent literature has reported the involvement of non-coding RNA molecules (such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), micro RNAs, small-interfering RNAs etc.) and their potential role as emerging therapeutics. The current special issue aims to introduce telomeres and telomerase, the regulation of telomerase functions in tumors and human aging, and tumor treatments using small molecule drugs and non-coding RNAs. Finally, small molecule drugs and non-coding RNAs targeting telomerase activity in cancer and aging shall be highlighted herein.

Keywords

Ferroptosis, Small molecule drug, non-coding RNAs, Telomerase, Cancers, Aging

Sub-topics

Ø Cancer treatments using small drug molecules, both in clinical or laboratory models.
Ø Studies involving anticancer activity of small drug molecules through multiple signaling pathways.
Ø Novel telomerase modulators as potential anticancer agents
Ø Regulation of Aging associated disorders using these small molecule drugs.
Ø Induction of Ferroptosis and NETosis in tumor cells using small molecule drugs.
Ø Molecular functions of telomerase activators/ inhibitors in cell signaling.
Ø Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) to isolate novel anticancer drugs.