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Wang X, Deng H, Lin J, Zhang K, Ni J, Li L, Fan G. Distinct roles of telomerase activity in age-related chronic diseases: An update literature review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115553. [PMID: 37738798 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Although telomerase has low activity in somatic quiescent cells, it plays an significant roles in regenerative cells such as endothelial cells, hepatocytes, epithelial cells, and hemocytes. Telomerase activity and telomere length are critical factors in age-related chronic diseases as they are closely related to cell senescence. However, whether telomerase activity plays a key role in disease progression or whether the role of telomerase is unified among different diseases are unresolved. Considering that aging is the most important risk factor for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, this article will analyze the evidence, mechanism, and therapeutic potential of telomerase activity in several chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, heart failure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in order to provide clues for the use of telomerase activity to target the treatment of age-related chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Wang
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyi Lin
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyu Ni
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae for the Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Guanwei Fan
- Medical Experiment Center, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300381 Tianjin, China.
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Sanpedro-Luna JA, Vega-Alvarado L, Vázquez-Cruz C, Sánchez-Alonso P. Global Gene Expression of Post-Senescent Telomerase-Negative ter1Δ Strain of Ustilago maydis. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:896. [PMID: 37755003 PMCID: PMC10532341 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the global expression patterns of telomerase-negative mutants from haploid cells of Ustilago maydis to identify the gene network required for cell survival in the absence of telomerase. Mutations in either of the telomerase core subunits (trt1 and ter1) of the dimorphic fungus U. maydis cause deficiencies in teliospore formation. We report the global transcriptome analysis of two ter1Δ survivor strains of U. maydis, revealing the deregulation of telomerase-deleted responses (TDR) genes, such as DNA-damage response, stress response, cell cycle, subtelomeric, and proximal telomere genes. Other differentially expressed genes (DEGs) found in the ter1Δ survivor strains were related to pathogenic lifestyle factors, plant-pathogen crosstalk, iron uptake, meiosis, and melanin synthesis. The two ter1Δ survivors were phenotypically comparable, yet DEGs were identified when comparing these strains. Our findings suggest that teliospore formation in U. maydis is controlled by key pathogenic lifestyle and meiosis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Sanpedro-Luna
- Posgrado en Microbiología, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72570, Mexico;
| | - Leticia Vega-Alvarado
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico;
| | - Candelario Vázquez-Cruz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72570, Mexico;
| | - Patricia Sánchez-Alonso
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72570, Mexico;
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3
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Banerjee P, Rosales JE, Chau K, Nguyen MTH, Kotla S, Lin SH, Deswal A, Dantzer R, Olmsted-Davis EA, Nguyen H, Wang G, Cooke JP, Abe JI, Le NT. Possible molecular mechanisms underlying the development of atherosclerosis in cancer survivors. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1186679. [PMID: 37332576 PMCID: PMC10272458 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1186679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer survivors undergone treatment face an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies have revealed that chemotherapy can drive senescent cancer cells to acquire a proliferative phenotype known as senescence-associated stemness (SAS). These SAS cells exhibit enhanced growth and resistance to cancer treatment, thereby contributing to disease progression. Endothelial cell (EC) senescence has been implicated in atherosclerosis and cancer, including among cancer survivors. Treatment modalities for cancer can induce EC senescence, leading to the development of SAS phenotype and subsequent atherosclerosis in cancer survivors. Consequently, targeting senescent ECs displaying the SAS phenotype hold promise as a therapeutic approach for managing atherosclerotic CVD in this population. This review aims to provide a mechanistic understanding of SAS induction in ECs and its contribution to atherosclerosis among cancer survivors. We delve into the mechanisms underlying EC senescence in response to disturbed flow and ionizing radiation, which play pivotal role in atherosclerosis and cancer. Key pathways, including p90RSK/TERF2IP, TGFβR1/SMAD, and BH4 signaling are explored as potential targets for cancer treatment. By comprehending the similarities and distinctions between different types of senescence and the associated pathways, we can pave the way for targeted interventions aim at enhancing the cardiovascular health of this vulnerable population. The insights gained from this review may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for managing atherosclerotic CVD in cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Banerjee
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Julia Enterría Rosales
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- School of Medicine, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Khanh Chau
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Minh T. H. Nguyen
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sivareddy Kotla
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steven H. Lin
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anita Deswal
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Robert Dantzer
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Olmsted-Davis
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hung Nguyen
- Cancer Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - John P. Cooke
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jun-ichi Abe
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nhat-Tu Le
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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Aschacher T, Geisler D, Lenz V, Aschacher O, Winkler B, Schaefer AK, Mitterbauer A, Wolf B, Enzmann FK, Messner B, Laufer G, Ehrlich MP, Grabenwöger M, Bergmann M. Impacts of Telomeric Length, Chronic Hypoxia, Senescence, and Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype on the Development of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415498. [PMID: 36555139 PMCID: PMC9779024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an age-related and life-threatening vascular disease. Telomere shortening is a predictor of age-related diseases, and its progression is associated with premature vascular disease. The aim of the present work was to investigate the impacts of chronic hypoxia and telomeric DNA damage on cellular homeostasis and vascular degeneration of TAA. We analyzed healthy and aortic aneurysm specimens (215 samples) for telomere length (TL), chronic DNA damage, and resulting changes in cellular homeostasis, focusing on senescence and apoptosis. Compared with healthy thoracic aorta (HTA), patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) showed telomere shortening with increasing TAA size, in contrast to genetically predisposed bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). In addition, TL was associated with chronic hypoxia and telomeric DNA damage and with the induction of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). TAA-TAV specimens showed a significant difference in SASP-marker expression of IL-6, NF-κB, mTOR, and cell-cycle regulators (γH2AX, Rb, p53, p21), compared to HTA and TAA-BAV. Furthermore, we observed an increase in CD163+ macrophages and a correlation between hypoxic DNA damage and the number of aortic telocytes. We conclude that chronic hypoxia is associated with telomeric DNA damage and the induction of SASP in a diseased aortic wall, promising a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Aschacher
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf and Karl Landsteiner Institute for Cardio-Vascular Research, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-277-00-74316
| | - Daniela Geisler
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf and Karl Landsteiner Institute for Cardio-Vascular Research, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Lenz
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf and Karl Landsteiner Institute for Cardio-Vascular Research, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivia Aschacher
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Winkler
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf and Karl Landsteiner Institute for Cardio-Vascular Research, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Private University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Andreas Mitterbauer
- Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Wolf
- Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian K. Enzmann
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Messner
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Günther Laufer
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marek P. Ehrlich
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Grabenwöger
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinic Floridsdorf and Karl Landsteiner Institute for Cardio-Vascular Research, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, Sigmund Freud Private University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Bergmann
- Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Gao X, Yu X, Zhang C, Wang Y, Sun Y, Sun H, Zhang H, Shi Y, He X. Telomeres and Mitochondrial Metabolism: Implications for Cellular Senescence and Age-related Diseases. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2315-2327. [PMID: 35460064 PMCID: PMC9033418 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is an irreversible cell arrest process, which is determined by a variety of complicated mechanisms, including telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic disorders, loss of protein homeostasis, epigenetic changes, etc. Cellular senescence is causally related to the occurrence and development of age-related disease. The elderly is liable to suffer from disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Therefore, it is increasingly imperative to explore specific countermeasures for the treatment of age-related diseases. Numerous studies on humans and mice emphasize the significance of metabolic imbalance caused by short telomeres and mitochondrial damages in the onset of age-related diseases. Although the experimental data are relatively independent, more and more evidences have shown that there is mutual crosstalk between telomeres and mitochondrial metabolism in the process of cellular senescence. This review systematically discusses the relationship between telomere length, mitochondrial metabolic disorder, as well as their underlying mechanisms for cellular senescence and age-related diseases. Future studies on telomere and mitochondrial metabolism may shed light on potential therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases. Graphical Abstract The characteristics of cellular senescence mainly include mitochondrial dysfunction and telomere attrition. Mitochondrial dysfunction will cause mitochondrial metabolic disorders, including decreased ATP production, increased ROS production, as well as enhanced cellular apoptosis. While oxidative stress reaction to produce ROS, leads to DNA damage, and eventually influences telomere length. Under the stimulation of oxidative stress, telomerase catalytic subunit TERT mainly plays an inhibitory role on oxidative stress, reduces the production of ROS and protects telomere function. Concurrently, mitochondrial dysfunction and telomere attrition eventually induce a range of age-related diseases, such as T2DM, osteoporosis, AD, etc. :increase; :reduce;⟝:inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Chang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yingai Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xu He
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
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6
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Bavelaar BM, Song L, Jackson MR, Able S, Tietz O, Skaripa-Koukelli I, Waghorn PA, Gill MR, Carlisle RC, Tarsounas M, Vallis KA. Oligonucleotide-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Synchronous Telomerase Inhibition, Radiosensitization, and Delivery of Theranostic Radionuclides. Mol Pharm 2021; 18:3820-3831. [PMID: 34449222 PMCID: PMC8493550 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase represents an attractive target in oncology as it is expressed in cancer but not in normal tissues. The oligonucleotide inhibitors of telomerase represent a promising anticancer strategy, although poor cellular uptake can restrict their efficacy. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used to enhance oligonucleotide uptake. "match" oligonucleotides complementary to the telomerase RNA template subunit (hTR) and "scramble" (control) oligonucleotides were conjugated to diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) for 111In-labeling. AuNPs (15.5 nm) were decorated with a monofunctional layer of oligonucleotides (ON-AuNP) or a multifunctional layer of oligonucleotides, PEG(polethylene glycol)800-SH (to reduce AuNP aggregation) and the cell-penetrating peptide Tat (ON-AuNP-Tat). Match-AuNP enhanced the cellular uptake of radiolabeled oligonucleotides while retaining the ability to inhibit telomerase activity. The addition of Tat to AuNPs increased nuclear localization. 111In-Match-AuNP-Tat induced DNA double-strand breaks and caused a dose-dependent reduction in clonogenic survival of telomerase-positive cells but not telomerase-negative cells. hTR inhibition has been reported to sensitize cancer cells to ionizing radiation, and 111In-Match-AuNP-Tat therefore holds promise as a vector for delivery of radionuclides into cancer cells while simultaneously sensitizing them to the effects of the emitted radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas M. Bavelaar
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Lei Song
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Mark R. Jackson
- Institute
of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.
| | - Sarah Able
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Ole Tietz
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Irini Skaripa-Koukelli
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Philip A. Waghorn
- Charles
River Laboratories, Elphinstone Research Centre, Elphinstone, Tranent EH33 2NE, U.K.
| | - Martin R. Gill
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Robert C. Carlisle
- Institute
of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Madalena Tarsounas
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Katherine A. Vallis
- Oxford
Institute for Radiation Oncology, University
of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
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7
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Saretzki G, Wan T. Telomerase in Brain: The New Kid on the Block and Its Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Biomedicines 2021; 9:490. [PMID: 33946850 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is an enzyme that in its canonical function extends and maintains telomeres, the ends of chromosomes. This reverse transcriptase function is mainly important for dividing cells that shorten their telomeres continuously. However, there are a number of telomere-independent functions known for the telomerase protein TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase). This includes the shuttling of the TERT protein from the nucleus to mitochondria where it decreases oxidative stress, apoptosis sensitivity and DNA damage. Recently, evidence has accumulated on a protective role of TERT in brain and postmitotic neurons. This function might be able to ameliorate the effects of toxic proteins such as amyloid-β, pathological tau and α-synuclein involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the protective mechanisms of TERT are not clear yet. Recently, an activation of autophagy as an important protein degradation process for toxic neuronal proteins by TERT has been described. This review summarises the current knowledge about the non-canonical role of the telomerase protein TERT in brain and shows its potential benefit for the amelioration of brain ageing and neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and PD. This might form the basis for the development of novel strategies and therapies against those diseases.
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Luxton JJ, McKenna MJ, Lewis A, Taylor LE, George KA, Dixit SM, Moniz M, Benegas W, Mackay MJ, Mozsary C, Butler D, Bezdan D, Meydan C, Crucian BE, Zwart SR, Smith SM, Mason CE, Bailey SM. Telomere Length Dynamics and DNA Damage Responses Associated with Long-Duration Spaceflight. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108457. [PMID: 33242406 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length dynamics and DNA damage responses were assessed before, during, and after one-year or shorter duration missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in a comparatively large cohort of astronauts (n = 11). Although generally healthy individuals, astronauts tended to have significantly shorter telomeres and lower telomerase activity than age- and sex-matched ground controls before and after spaceflight. Although telomeres were longer during spaceflight irrespective of mission duration, telomere length shortened rapidly upon return to Earth, and overall astronauts had shorter telomeres after spaceflight than they did before; inter-individual differences were identified. During spaceflight, all crewmembers experienced oxidative stress, which positively correlated with telomere length dynamics. Significantly increased frequencies of chromosomal inversions were observed during and after spaceflight; changes in cell populations were also detected. We propose a telomeric adaptive response to chronic oxidative damage in extreme environments, whereby the telomerase-independent Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway is transiently activated in normal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J Luxton
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Miles J McKenna
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Aidan Lewis
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Sameer M Dixit
- Center for Molecular Dynamics - Nepal (CMDN), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Matthew J Mackay
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Mozsary
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Butler
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Bezdan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cem Meydan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian E Crucian
- Human Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sara R Zwart
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Scott M Smith
- Human Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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9
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Wan T, Weir EJ, Johnson M, Korolchuk VI, Saretzki GC. Increased telomerase improves motor function and alpha-synuclein pathology in a transgenic mouse model of Parkinson's disease associated with enhanced autophagy. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 199:101953. [PMID: 33188884 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase activators (TA) increase Tert expression in brains of a PD mouse model. Activator treatment improves PD motor symptoms: gait and balance. Activators reduce different forms of alpha-synuclein in brains of transgenic mice. Decreased autophagy markers LC3 and p62 suggest a better protein degradation. Our preclinical data suggest a use of TA to ameliorate PD-like symptoms.
Protective effects of the telomerase protein TERT have been shown in neurons and brain. We previously demonstrated that TERT protein can accumulate in mitochondria of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains and protect from pathological tau in primary mouse neurons. This prompted us to employ telomerase activators in order to boost telomerase expression in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) overexpressing human wild type α-synuclein. Our aim was to test whether increased Tert expression levels were able to ameliorate PD symptoms and to activate protein degradation. We found increased Tert expression in brain for both activators which correlated with a substantial improvement of motor functions such as gait and motor coordination while telomere length in the analysed region was not changed. Interestingly, only one activator (TA-65) resulted in a decrease of reactive oxygen species from brain mitochondria. Importantly, we demonstrate that total, phosphorylated and aggregated α-synuclein were significantly decreased in the hippocampus and neocortex of activator-treated mice corresponding to enhanced markers of autophagy suggesting an improved degradation of toxic alpha-synuclein. We conclude that increased Tert expression caused by telomerase activators is associated with decreased α-synuclein protein levels either by activating autophagy or by preventing or delaying impairment of degradation mechanisms during disease progression. This encouraging preclinical data could be translated into novel therapeutic options for neurodegenerative disorders such as PD.
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Mast N, El-Darzi N, Petrov AM, Li Y, Pikuleva IA. CYP46A1-dependent and independent effects of efavirenz treatment. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa180. [PMID: 33305262 PMCID: PMC7713991 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol excess in the brain is mainly disposed via cholesterol 24-hydroxylation catalysed by cytochrome P450 46A1, a CNS-specific enzyme. Cytochrome P450 46A1 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for various brain diseases with both enzyme activation and inhibition having therapeutic potential. The rate of cholesterol 24-hydroxylation determines the rate of brain cholesterol turnover and the rate of sterol flux through the plasma membranes. The latter was shown to affect membrane properties and thereby membrane proteins and membrane-dependent processes. Previously we found that treatment of 5XFAD mice, an Alzheimer's disease model, with a small dose of anti-HIV drug efavirenz allosterically activated cytochrome P450 46A1 in the brain and mitigated several disease manifestations. Herein, we generated Cyp46a1-/- 5XFAD mice and treated them, along with 5XFAD animals, with efavirenz to ascertain cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent and independent drug effects. Efavirenz-treated versus control Cyp46a1-/- 5XFAD and 5XFAD mice were compared for the brain sterol and steroid hormone content, amyloid β burden, protein and mRNA expression as well as synaptic ultrastructure. We found that the cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent efavirenz effects included changes in the levels of brain sterols, steroid hormones, and such proteins as glial fibrillary acidic protein, Iba1, Munc13-1, post-synaptic density-95, gephyrin, synaptophysin and synapsin-1. Changes in the expression of genes involved in neuroprotection, neurogenesis, synaptic function, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis were also cytochrome P450 46A1-dependent. The total amyloid β load was the same in all groups of animals, except lack of cytochrome P450 46A1 decreased the production of the amyloid β40 species independent of treatment. In contrast, altered transcription of genes from cholinergic, monoaminergic, and peptidergic neurotransmission, steroid sulfation and production as well as vitamin D3 activation was the main CYP46A1-independent efavirenz effect. Collectively, the data obtained reveal that CYP46A1 controls cholesterol availability for the production of steroid hormones in the brain and the levels of biologically active neurosteroids. In addition, cytochrome P450 46A1 activity also seems to affect the levels of post-synaptic density-95, the main postsynaptic density protein, possibly by altering the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor 1 expression and activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Even at a small dose, efavirenz likely acts as a transcriptional regulator, yet this regulation may not necessarily lead to functional effects. This study further confirmed that cytochrome P450 46A1 is a key enzyme for cholesterol homeostasis in the brain and that the therapeutic efavirenz effects on 5XFAD mice are likely realized via cytochrome P450 46A1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nicole El-Darzi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Alexey M Petrov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Young Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Irina A Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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11
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Pańczyszyn A, Boniewska-Bernacka E, Goc A. The role of telomeres and telomerase in the senescence of postmitotic cells. DNA Repair (Amst) 2020; 95:102956. [PMID: 32937289 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2020.102956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Senescence is a process related to the stopping of divisions and changes leading the cell to the SASP phenotype. Permanent senescence of many SASP cells contributes to faster aging of the body and development of age-related diseases due to the release of pro-inflammatory factors. Both mitotically active and non-dividing cells can undergo senescence as a result of activation of different molecular pathways. Telomeres, referred to as the molecular clock, direct the dividing cell into the aging pathway when reaching a critical length. In turn, the senescence of postmitotic cells depends not on the length of telomeres, but their functionality. Dysfunctional telomeres are responsible for triggering the signaling of DNA damage response (DDR). Telomerase subunits in post-mitotic cells translocate between the nucleus, cytoplasm and mitochondria, participating in the regulation of their activity. Among other things, they contribute to the reduction of reactive oxygen species generation, which leads to telomere dysfunction and, consequently, senescence. Some proteins of the shelterin complex also play a protective role by inhibiting senescence-initiating kinases and limiting ROS production by mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pańczyszyn
- University of Opole, Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biology and Genetics, Opole 45-040, Pl.Kopernika 11a, Poland.
| | - Ewa Boniewska-Bernacka
- University of Opole, Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biology and Genetics, Opole 45-040, Pl.Kopernika 11a, Poland.
| | - Anna Goc
- University of Opole, Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biology and Genetics, Opole 45-040, Pl.Kopernika 11a, Poland.
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12
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Rubtsova M, Dontsova O. Human Telomerase RNA: Telomerase Component or More? Biomolecules 2020; 10:E873. [PMID: 32517215 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that maintains the lengths of telomeres. Most studies of telomerase function have focused on the involvement of telomerase activation in the immortalization of cancer cells and cellular rejuvenation. However, some studies demonstrated that the results do not meet expectations for telomerase action in telomere maintenance. Recent results give reason to think that major telomerase components-the reverse transcriptase protein subunit and telomerase RNA-may participate in many cellular processes, including the regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, cell survival, pro-proliferative effects, regulation of gene expression, and protection against oxidative stress. However, the difficulties faced by scientist when researching telomerase component functions often reduce confidence in the minor effects observed in experiments. In this review, we focus on the analysis of the functions of telomerase components (paying more attention to the telomerase RNA component), both as a complex and as independent components, providing effects that are not associated with telomerase activity and telomere length maintenance. Despite the fact that the data on alternative roles of telomerase components look illusory, it would be wrong to completely reject the possibility of their involvement in other biological processes excluded from research/discussion. Investigations to improve the understanding of every aspect of the functioning of telomerase components will provide the basis for a more precise development of approaches to regulate cellular homeostasis, which is important for carcinogenesis and aging.
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13
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Nemirovich-Danchenko NM, Khodanovich MY. Telomerase Gene Editing in the Neural Stem Cells in vivo as a Possible New Approach against Brain Aging. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420040092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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14
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Baruch-Eliyahu N, Rud V, Braiman A, Priel E. Telomerase increasing compound protects hippocampal neurons from amyloid beta toxicity by enhancing the expression of neurotrophins and plasticity related genes. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18118. [PMID: 31792359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54741-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase protein, TERT, is expressed in the adult brain and its exogenic expression protects neurons from oxidative stress and from the cytotoxicity of amyloid beta (Aβ). We previously showed that telomerase increasing compounds (AGS) protected neurons from oxidative stress. Therefore, we suggest that increasing TERT by AGS may protect neurons from the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity by influencing genes and factors that participate in neuronal survival and plasticity. Here we used a primary hippocampal cell culture exposed to aggregated Aβ and hippocampi from adult mice. AGS treatment transiently increased TERT gene expression in hippocampal primary cell cultures in the presence or absence of Aβ and protected neurons from Aβ induced neuronal degradation. An increase in the expression of Growth associated protein 43 (GAP43), and Feminizing locus on X-3 genes (NeuN), in the presence or absence of Aβ, and Synaptophysin (SYP) in the presence of Aβ was observed. GAP43, NeuN, SYP, Neurotrophic factors (NGF, BDNF), beta-catenin and cyclin-D1 expression were increased in the hippocampus of AGS treated mice. This data suggests that increasing TERT by pharmaceutical compounds partially exerts its neuroprotective effect by enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and neuronal plasticity genes in a mechanism that involved Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.
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15
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Abstract
Mitochondrial functions and telomere functions have mostly been studied independently. In recent years, it, however, has become clear that there are intimate links between mitochondria, telomeres, and telomerase subunits. Mitochondrial dysfunctions cause telomere attrition, while telomere damage leads to reprogramming of mitochondrial biosynthesis and mitochondrial dysfunctions, which has important implications in aging and diseases. In addition, evidence has accumulated that telomere-independent functions of telomerase also exist and that the protein component of telomerase TERT shuttles between the nucleus and mitochondria under oxidative stress. Our previously published data show that the RNA component of telomerase TERC is also imported into mitochondria, processed, and exported back to the cytosol. These data show a complex regulation network where telomeres, nuclear genome, and mitochondria are co-regulated by multi-localization and multi-function proteins and RNAs. This review summarizes the connections between mitochondria and telomeres, the mitochondrion-related functions of telomerase subunits, and how they play a role in crosstalk between mitochondria and the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinliang Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Geng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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16
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Jackson MR, Bavelaar BM, Waghorn PA, Gill MR, El-Sagheer AH, Brown T, Tarsounas M, Vallis KA. Radiolabeled Oligonucleotides Targeting the RNA Subunit of Telomerase Inhibit Telomerase and Induce DNA Damage in Telomerase-Positive Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2019; 79:4627-4637. [PMID: 31311806 PMCID: PMC7611324 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is expressed in the majority (>85%) of tumors, but has restricted expression in normal tissues. Long-term telomerase inhibition in malignant cells results in progressive telomere shortening and reduction in cell proliferation. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of radiolabeled oligonucleotides that target the RNA subunit of telomerase, hTR, simultaneously inhibiting enzymatic activity and delivering radiation intracellularly. Oligonucleotides complementary (Match) and noncomplementary (Scramble or Mismatch) to hTR were conjugated to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride (DTPA), allowing radiolabeling with the Auger electron-emitting radionuclide indium-111 (111In). Match oligonucleotides inhibited telomerase activity with high potency, which was not observed with Scramble or Mismatch oligonucleotides. DTPA-conjugation and 111In-labeling did not change telomerase inhibition. In telomerase-positive cancer cells, unlabeled Match oligonucleotides had no effect on survival, however, 111In-labeled Match oligonucleotides significantly reduced clonogenic survival and upregulated the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Minimal radiotoxicity and DNA damage was observed in telomerase-negative cells exposed to 111In-Match oligonucleotides. Match oligonucleotides localized in close proximity to nuclear Cajal bodies in telomerase-positive cells. In comparison with Match oligonucleotides, 111In-Scramble or 111In-Mismatch oligonucleotides demonstrated reduced retention and negligible impact on cell survival. This study indicates the therapeutic activity of radiolabeled oligonucleotides that specifically target hTR through potent telomerase inhibition and DNA damage induction in telomerase-expressing cancer cells and paves the way for the development of novel oligonucleotide radiotherapeutics targeting telomerase-positive cancers. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings present a novel radiolabeled oligonucleotide for targeting telomerase-positive cancer cells that exhibits dual activity by simultaneously inhibiting telomerase and promoting radiation-induced genomic DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Jackson
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bas M Bavelaar
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philip A Waghorn
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin R Gill
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Afaf H El-Sagheer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Madalena Tarsounas
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A Vallis
- Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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