Histone & epigenetic changes with telo...
DaffyDuck
03 Oct 2010
The initiation of diseases associated with aging, such as cancer, is largely attributed to DNA, or genetic, damage. But this study suggests that aging itself is infinitely complex: that progressive telomere shortening hastens chromosomal aging by changing the way genes entwine with histones, so-called "epigenetic" changes. How DNA interacts with histones has enormous impact on whether genes are expressed-hence the current intense interest in the relationship of the epigenomic landscape to disease states.
Rescue experiments in which the team cosmetically enhanced aging cells confirmed that signals emitted by eroding telomeres drove epigenetic changes. When aging cells were engineered to express telomerase, the enzyme that restores and extends stubby telomeres, those rejuvenated cells showed histone levels reminiscent of "happy, healthy chromatin," and a partial return to a youthful chromatin profile.
Also, I wonder how the quote below figures into Geron's conclusion that telemerase is not oncogenic? Perhaps these researchers haven't read it?
Lest you sink your savings into schemes to elongate your telomeres, beware. "The flip side of elongating telomeres is that you enable cells to grow for much longer periods and can generate what are called "immortal" cells," says Karlseder. "That takes you one step closer to cancer cell development."
Edited by DaffyDuck, 03 October 2010 - 07:10 PM.
SloMoSandy
03 Oct 2010
Also, I wonder how the quote below figures into Geron's conclusion that telemerase is not oncogenic? Perhaps these researchers haven't read it?
Lest you sink your savings into schemes to elongate your telomeres, beware. "The flip side of elongating telomeres is that you enable cells to grow for much longer periods and can generate what are called "immortal" cells," says Karlseder. "That takes you one step closer to cancer cell development."
http://jama.ama-assn.../short/304/1/69
Elus
03 Oct 2010
Also, I wonder how the quote below figures into Geron's conclusion that telemerase is not oncogenic? Perhaps these researchers haven't read it?
Lest you sink your savings into schemes to elongate your telomeres, beware. "The flip side of elongating telomeres is that you enable cells to grow for much longer periods and can generate what are called "immortal" cells," says Karlseder. "That takes you one step closer to cancer cell development."
http://jama.ama-assn.../short/304/1/69
Oh wow. You're 4.3 times more likely to get cancer if you have short telomeres than long telomeres? Incredible! I will ask Michael about this paper to see what he thinks...
DaffyDuck
04 Oct 2010
I think the article I posted is a step in understanding the causes behind the one you posted. But I would like to point out that there is a difference between having short telomeres, which increases cancer risk, and artificially increasing telomerase activity.
Exciting stuff!
SloMoSandy
04 Oct 2010
I think the article I posted is a step in understanding the causes behind the one you posted. But I would like to point out that there is a difference between having short telomeres, which increases cancer risk, and artificially increasing telomerase activity.
Exciting stuff!
Well talking about Geron (or are we talking about these Siera sciences results? I'm not too sure I'm not mixing these two somehow) "artificially" increasing telomere length may benefit immune system, and immune system is obviously one of the important factors whether you are gonna get cancer or not.
Gern
13 Nov 2010
What I think is revealing about the study is that it demonstrates a link between artificially lengthening telomeres and changes in chromatin. That's not to say one causes the other, but it's as close as we've come to showing epigenetic changes are affected by telomere length.
I think the article I posted is a step in understanding the causes behind the one you posted. But I would like to point out that there is a difference between having short telomeres, which increases cancer risk, and artificially increasing telomerase activity.
Exciting stuff!
