Defining the Regulation of Telomerase Through Identification of Mammary-Specific Telomerase Interacting Proteins
Abstract
Telomerase activity is associated with over 90% of human breast cancers and is necessary for continued tumor cell growth, making it an ideal target for inhibition therapy. However, pharmacologic inhibitors of telomerase have not been as effective as expected. As such, our objective here is to identify novel telomerase interacting proteins and define their functional relationship to telomerase in order to provide additional targets for telomerase inhibition in breast cancer. In addition to the results that we reported in the previous annual report, we have found that molecular chaperones specifically associate with telomeres and that the interaction is likely through telomere binding proteins, as well as telomerase. We have confirmed that hsp90 associates with the TRF-2 telomere binding protein and are currently defining the functional significance of this interaction. In addition, we are screening for association of the hsp90/p23 complex with other telomere proteins, some of which may be specific for DNA repair. We are continuing to test additional telomerase-specific antibodies for discovery of novel telomerase interacting proteins, with the hope that biologically relevant proteins will be identified to provide additional targets for directed telomerase inhibition as a means to treat breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA463506
Entities
People
- Shawn E. Holt
Organizations
- Virginia Commonwealth University