Insight into telomere regulation

Maintaining chromosomes at constant length is a critical process for the cell. Delineating how this process is regulated is paramount for identifying the determinants of carcinogenesis.

Inherently, the mammalian genome replication process cannot copy the very end of each chromosome, resulting in the gradual shortening of the chromosomes. To prevent the loss of genes, mammalian chromosomes possess end regions of repetitive sequence known as telomeres, which prevent the activation of the DNA damage machinery. In contrast, if telomeres become too long, they become unstable and can recombine.

Further details: Insight into telomere regulation