Balancing instability: dual roles for telomerase and telomere dysfunction in tumorigenesis
JA Hackett, CW Greider - Oncogene, 2002 - nature.com
JA Hackett, CW Greider
Oncogene, 2002•nature.comTelomere shortening and telomerase activation both occur in human tumors. Telomere
shortening has been proposed to have two conflicting roles in tumorigenesis: tumor
suppression and initiation of chromosomal instability. Similarly, while telomerase activation
is suggested to be necessary for tumor growth, telomerase may help to stabilize genomic
instability. Here we review what is known about these conflicting roles and propose a
framework to understand the role of telomerase in cancer progression.
shortening has been proposed to have two conflicting roles in tumorigenesis: tumor
suppression and initiation of chromosomal instability. Similarly, while telomerase activation
is suggested to be necessary for tumor growth, telomerase may help to stabilize genomic
instability. Here we review what is known about these conflicting roles and propose a
framework to understand the role of telomerase in cancer progression.
Abstract
Telomere shortening and telomerase activation both occur in human tumors. Telomere shortening has been proposed to have two conflicting roles in tumorigenesis: tumor suppression and initiation of chromosomal instability. Similarly, while telomerase activation is suggested to be necessary for tumor growth, telomerase may help to stabilize genomic instability. Here we review what is known about these conflicting roles and propose a framework to understand the role of telomerase in cancer progression.
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