[Telomere and telomerase].
Telomeres are the functional domains positioned at the ends of chromosomes. It is essential for the stable maintenance of chromosomes. Telomerase is an enzyme that has an important role in the DNA replicator at telomeres. Its activity is specifically activated in cancer cells. We have reported a novel specific and sensitive assay (stretch RCR assay) for the detection of telomerase activity. We analyzed the telomerase activity in leukemias using this method. The results showed that telomerase is specifically activated during the progression stages of leukemia. The "telomere crisis model" has been proposed for explaining the role of the telomere dynamics in malignancies.
Ishikawa
F
F
Department of Life Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016615:Telomere / Q000502:physiology*
D019098:Telomerase