TELOMERE LENGTH REGULATION

Telomeres are the components of chromosome ends that provide stability and allow the complete replication of the ends. Telomere length is ma intained by a balance between processes that lengthen and those that s horten telomeres. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein polymerase that sp ecifically elongates telomeres. In human cells telomere length is not maintained and telomerase is not active in some tissues. In tumors, ho wever, telomerase is active and may be required for the growth of canc er cells. Thus understanding telomerase and telomere length regulation may help us understand tumor progression. Evidence from various organ isms suggests that several factors influence telomere length regulatio n, such as telomere binding proteins, telomere capping proteins, telom erase, and DNA replication enzymes. Understanding how these factors in teract to coordinate the regulation of telomere length will allow a mo re complete understanding of telomere function in the cell.