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Inhibiting telomerase in cancer cells
Name: David H Khaliqi
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
I am studying to be a teacher and have recently read about the research
on telomeres and their effect on inhibition of cell division by "wearing"
off, thereby stopping the cell's division. My question refers to the
possibility of inhibiting the telomerase enzyme in cancer cells. If this
is done (kill telomerase) what will be the effect on surrounding normal
cells. In short, if telomerase is inhibited, wouldn't this kill normal
cells by stopping their ability to divide?
Replies:
This is hot stuff you're into. Telomeres are indeed the structures
at the ends of the (linear) DNA molecules in our chromosomes. They
consist of long stretches of "meaningless" information. The machinery
that copies DNA (the replication machinery) has a hard time with ends
of linear molecules; the ends get shorter with each cycle of copying.
For most cells, that's really OK; the cells will divide only for a limited
number of times in the life of the organism, and the cell can tolerate the
loss of lots of that "meaningless" telomere DNA. Tumor cells, however,
want to keep dividing indefinitely; they have somehow found a way to turn
on the telomerase enzyme (which in most cells is NOT turned on!). So, by
inhibiting the telomerase enzyme, the chromosome ends in the tumor cells
will get too short and the cells will die. Cells which do not replicate
much will not suffer the shortening, and they will not be affected. You
may be able to predict some side effects of such a drug; might affect cells
that DO divide frequently (e.g., bone marrow) or cells that pass
information on to the next generation (eggs, sperm) where protecting the
information is the highest priority. Write back if you want more! I love
this stuff.
Steve Triezenberg
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Update: June 2012
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