TY - JOUR
T1 - Telomerase
T2 - Cellular immortalization and neoplastic transformation. Multiple functions of a multifaceted complex
AU - Belgiovine, C.
AU - Chiodi, I.
AU - Mondello, C.
PY - 2009/2
Y1 - 2009/2
N2 - The telomerase complex allows telomere length maintenance, which is required for an unlimited cellular proliferation. Telomerase is virtually absent in normal human somatic cells, which are characterized by a definite proliferation potential, while it is present in the vast majority of tumors (around 90%). Restoring telomerase activity in normal somatic cells can indefinitely prolong cellular life span. However, evidence has been reported that this event can be associated with the acquisition of characteristics typical of cellular transformation. Moreover, analysis of telomerase immortalized cells, as well as of tumor cells in which telomerase is inactivated, has highlighted multiple functions of telomerase in tumorigenesis, besides telomere lengthening. In this paper, we will review telomerase immortalization of somatic cells, together with its possible consequences, and we will examine the complex role of telomerase in tumorigenesis.
AB - The telomerase complex allows telomere length maintenance, which is required for an unlimited cellular proliferation. Telomerase is virtually absent in normal human somatic cells, which are characterized by a definite proliferation potential, while it is present in the vast majority of tumors (around 90%). Restoring telomerase activity in normal somatic cells can indefinitely prolong cellular life span. However, evidence has been reported that this event can be associated with the acquisition of characteristics typical of cellular transformation. Moreover, analysis of telomerase immortalized cells, as well as of tumor cells in which telomerase is inactivated, has highlighted multiple functions of telomerase in tumorigenesis, besides telomere lengthening. In this paper, we will review telomerase immortalization of somatic cells, together with its possible consequences, and we will examine the complex role of telomerase in tumorigenesis.
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U2 - 10.1159/000167811
DO - 10.1159/000167811
M3 - Article
C2 - 19188694
AN - SCOPUS:59649084635
VL - 122
SP - 255
EP - 262
JO - Cytogenetic and Genome Research
JF - Cytogenetic and Genome Research
SN - 1424-8581
IS - 3-4
ER -