Telomere Length and Genomic Stability as Indicators of Breast Cancer Risk
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive sequences that protect the ends of linear chromosomes and shorten during each cell division. Very short telomeres have been associated with changes in gene expression (in yeast) and decreased genomic stability. In the first year we published the first proof that silencing effects can occur at human telomeres. A luciferase reporter near a telomere showed on average a 10-fold reduction in expression relative to internal control genes. Furthermore, we showed that the silencing is reversible through inhibition of hi stone deacetylases and that the strength of silencing is dependent on telomere length. Only 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary and very little is known about the factors influencing sporadic cases. Further study of gene expression near telomeres will help determine whether telomere length could play a role in the progression of breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA406125
Entities
People
- Jerry W. Shay
- Joseph A. Baur
Organizations
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center