title: Multiple Pathways Control the Reactivation of Telomerase in HTLV-I-Associated Leukemia.
abstract: While telomerase (hTERT) activity is absent from normal somatic cells, reactivation of hTERT expression is a hallmark of cancer cells. Telomerase activity is required for avoiding replicative senescence and supports immortalization of cellular proliferation. Only a minority of cancer cells rely on a telomerase-independent process known as alternative lengthening of telomeres, ALT, to sustain cancer cell proliferation. Multiple genetic, epigenetic, and viral mechanisms have been found to de-regulate telomerase gene expression, thereby increasing the risk of cellular transformation. Here, we review the different strategies used by the Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, HTLV-I, to activate hTERT expression and stimulate its enzymatic activity in virally infected CD4 T cells. The implications of hTERT reactivation in HTLV-I pathogenesis and disease treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Viral Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Viral Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicot
keywords: ATL; HBZ; HTLV-I; NF-κB; Shelterin; Tax; Telomerase, telomere; hTERT