Short telomeres resulting from heritable mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene predispose for a variety of malignancies.

doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04565.x

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Short telomeres resulting from heritable mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene predispose for a variety of malignancies.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences - 1 Sept 2009

Hills Mark, Lansdorp Peter M

Abstract excerpt

Telomeres are composed of long arrays of TTAGGG repeats and associated proteins that act as a protective cap for chromosome ends. The length of telomere repeats is set in the germline but decreases in somatic cells, primarily as a function of DNA replication. Progressive telomere shortening limits stem cell divisions and probably acts as a tumor suppressor mechanism. Using a sensitive PCR method to detect the...

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Short telomeres resulting from heritable mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene predispose for a variety of malignancies.

Abstract excerpt

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