title: Telomeric Repeat Containing RNA (TERRA): Aging and Cancer.
abstract: Telomeric repeat containing RNAs (TERRA) are small RNA molecules synthesized from telomeric regions which were previously considered as silent genomic domains. In normal cells, these RNAs are transcribed in a direction from subtelomeric region towards the chromosome ends, but in case of cancer cells, their expression remains limited or absent. Telomerase is a rate limiting enzyme for cellular senescence, cancer and aging. Most of the studies deal with the manipulation of telomerase enzyme in cancer and aging either by synthetic oligonucleotide or by natural phytochemicals. Here, we collected evidences and discussed intensely about the bio-molecular structure of TERRA, naturally occurring ligands of telomerase, and their genetic and epigenetic regulations in aging associated diseases. Due to their capability to act as naturally occurring ligands of telomerase, these RNAs can overcome the limitations possessed by synthetic oligonucleotides, which are aimed against telomerase. Drugs specifically targeting TERRA molecules could modulate telomerase-mediated telomere lengthening. Thus, targeting TERRA-mediated regulation of telomerase would be a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer and age-associated diseases.
authors: Sonam
authors: S
authors: Sinha
authors: Samriddhi
authors: S
authors: Shukla
authors: Sajid
authors: S
authors: Khan
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Farhan
authors: Mohammad Amjad
authors: MA
authors: Kamal
authors: Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Jankipuram Extn., Sector-10, Sitapur Road, Lucknow-226 031, India. s.musthapa@cdri.res.in.
authors: Syed Musthapa
authors: SM
authors: Meeran
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D019098:Telomerase