In $1994,$ telomerase activity was discovered in human cancer cell lines. Although telomerase is not active in human somatic tissue, human somatic cells do contain the genes for telomerase proteins and telomerase RNA. since inappropriate activation of telomerase may contribute to cancer, why do you think the genes coding for this enzyme have been maintained in the human genome throughout evolution? Are there any types of human body cells where telomerase activation would be advantageous or even necessary? Explain.
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Telomerase is an enzyme that helps maintain the length of telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres shorten with each cell division, and when they become too short, the cell can no longer divide and becomes senescent or undergoes Show more…
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Telomeres and cancer. Telomerase is not active in most human cells. Some cancer biologists have suggested that activation of the telomerase gene would be a requirement for a cell to become cancerous. Explain why this might be the case.
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Telomeres are short DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten over the course of a cell's life span. The shortening of telomeres is associated with aging and extensive shortening can lead to cell death. Telomerase is an enzyme that works to maintain the length of the telomeres. Theoretically, telomerase should be a protective mechanism but interestingly, the inhibition of telomerase may be a potential therapeutic target to treat cancer. Why might this be? Telomeres lengthen during each S phase of the cell cycle. The inhibition of telomerase stimulates the incorporation of cancer-causing mutations Telomeres regulate the migration of cancer cells throughout the body. Telomerase production can cause cells to become immortal leading to cancer.
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