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Cell Cycle Deregulation in Cancer pp 127–138Cite as

Maintenance of Telomeres in Cancer

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Part of the book series: Current Cancer Research ((CUCR))

Abstract

Tumorigenesis is a complex process that involves several genetic alterations and many attempts before the “correct” set of mutations occurs to create a cancer cell of origin. Fortunately, this event is made infrequent by the evolution of mechanisms able to preserve genomic stability and to limit the proliferation potential of somatic cells. A crucial role in both of these processes is played by the nucleoproteins that localize to the tips of our chromosomes: the telomeres. Proper telomere function is required to maintain genomic stability and in somatic cells progressive telomere shortening serves as a cellular clock that limits proliferation potential. In this chapter I will review the mechanisms that allow the proper function of telomeres in normal cells as well as the mechanisms employed by cancer cells to bypass their normal regulation.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Claire Attwooll, Agnel Sfeir, Keijo Okamoto, and Beatriz Virgen for comments on the manuscript and helpful discussions.

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  1. Laboratory of Chromosome Biology and Genomic Stability, Department of Genetics, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Eros Lazzerini Denchi

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Correspondence to Eros Lazzerini Denchi .

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  1. Dept. Medicine, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cottman Ave. 333, Philadelphia, 19111-2497, Pennsylvania, USA

    Greg H. Enders

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Denchi, E.L. (2010). Maintenance of Telomeres in Cancer. In: Enders, G. (eds) Cell Cycle Deregulation in Cancer. Current Cancer Research. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1770-6_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1770-6_8

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