By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Weekly -- Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg have gained important insights for stem cell research which are also applicable to human tumours and could lead to the development of new treatments. As Rolf Kemler's research group discovered, a molecular link exists between the telomerase that determines the length of the telomeres and a signalling pathway known as the Wnt/beta-signalling pathway (see also Stem Cells).
Telomeres are the end caps of chromosomes that play a very important role in the stability of the genome. Telomeres in stem cells are long and become shorter during differentiation or with age, but lengthen again in tumour cells.
The Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway controls numerous processes in embryonic development, such as the formation of the body axis and of organ primordia, and is particularly active in embryonic and adult stem cells. The beta-catenin protein plays a key role in this signalling pathway. The incorrect regulation or mutation of beta-catenin leads to the development of tumours.
Rolf Kemler's research group has now shown that beta-catenin regulates the telomerase gene directly, and has explained the molecular mechanism at work here. Embryonic stem cells with mutated beta-catenin generate more telomerase and have extended telomeres, while cells without beta-catenin have low levels of telomerase and have shortened telomeres.
This regulation mechanism can also be found in human cancer cells. These discoveries could lead to the development of a new approach to the treatment of human tumours.
Keywords for this news article include: Cancer, Genetics, Oncology, beta Catenin, Stem Cell Research, Transcription Factors, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Armadillo Domain Proteins.
Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2012, NewsRx LLC
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Source: http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=14038&Section=Disease
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