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PMID: 20351727 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review

Alternative lengthening of telomeres: models, mechanisms and implications.

Nature reviews. Genetics ·Vol. 11 ·No. 5 ·2010-05-00 ·Pages 319-30

Cesare AJ, Reddel RR

Abstract

Unlimited cellular proliferation depends on counteracting the telomere attrition that accompanies DNA replication. In human cancers this usually occurs through upregulation of telomerase activity, but in 10-15% of cancers - including some with particularly poor outcome - it is achieved through a mechanism known as alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT, which is dependent on homologous recombination, is therefore an important target for cancer therapy. Although dissection of the mechanism or mechanisms of ALT has been challenging, recent advances have led to the identification of several genes that are required for ALT and the elucidation of the biological significance of some phenotypic markers of ALT. This has enabled development of a rapid assay of ALT activity levels and the construction of molecular models of ALT.

MeSH Terms
Animals Humans Models, Genetic Neoplasms/genetics,metabolism Recombination, Genetic Telomere/metabolism Telomere-Binding Proteins/metabolism
Chemicals
Telomere-Binding Proteins
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Cesare Anthony J
Cancer Research Unit, Childrens Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Reddel Roger R
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Article Info
Journal
Nature reviews. Genetics
Abbr.
Nat Rev Genet
ISSN
1471-0064
DOI
10.1038/nrg2763
Published
2010-05-00
Epub
2010-00-30
Pages
319-30
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
100962779
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nrg2763 View journal details
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