SNHS Biology Blog 7: Telomeres and Cancer

Naeema Qureshi

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Not many people are aware of the major role that telomeres and their proteins telomerase have an effect on our bodies. Telomeres act as a buffer during gene replication, where the DNA polymerase is unable to replicate the ends of chromosomes, they aid in preventing gradual degradation of genes. Telomerase is a protein which helps maintain telomeres and help them continue to do their vital job.

Telomeres have been linked with disease and aging since the 1980s. Studies have shown that telomere length decreases in older organisms and that this effect is not a simple correlation. On a cellular level the loss of telomere function is linked with decreased ability for cellular division. When telomerase activity is disrupted in these cells, they lose replicative capacity. In addition this disruption leads to an increase in cellular oxidative stress.

However these changes in activity are not solely linked in aging. Because of their close relationship with cellular division they play a part in disease such as cancer. In around 90% of cancers, the expression of telomerase is increased, while similar, yet beginning tumors do not display this increase. Due to this link researchers have begun to come up with ways to utilize proteins such as PAPD5 to shrink the amount of telomerase and telomeres, specifically in cancer cases.

With these findings they could potential; create a cure of cancer by way of shortening or restoring the balance of telomerase in a cancer patient.