BSC1005-Disc6

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This is a graded discussion: 30 points possible

due -

Discussion 6 - Cancer Research 31 31

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Directions: In the readings for this module, you learned about an enzyme

called telomerase. There has been some work linking this enzyme to some

forms of cancer. Research this topic on your own and discuss your findings

here. To earn full credit on this activity, summarize your findings and cite

your source(s). (Note: Please only include legitimate scientific sources. If

you have any questions on this, please contact your instructor prior to the

submission deadline.)

Submission: After you have posted your initial post, read and respond to

two or more of your classmates' posts. Be sure to make substantive and

constructive comments (just posting “nice post” doesn’t count). For

example, add something from your own experience, something you’ve read

or seen. If the situation calls for it, feel free to state an opinion, but be sure

to state any points with which you agree and/or those with which you

disagree, as well as your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.

Grading: This discussion is worth 30 points and will be graded using

the Discussion Rubric. Pease use it as a guide toward successful completion

of this assignment. 

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 1 of 34

 Reply

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Claudia Huerta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137133)

Jun 25, 2023

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After researching the link between the enzyme telomerase and cancer i have concluded with the following findings. According to the National Cancer Institute, telomerase is an enzyme that adds DNA sequence repeats to the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from deterioration or fusion with nearby chromosomes. Telomerase is active in stem cells, allowing them to divide and replace damaged or old cells. However, most normal cells do not have active telomerase, and their telomeres shorten with each cell division until they reach a critical length, which triggers senescence, or cell death (National Cancer Institute, 2019).

In cancer cells, telomerase is reactivated, allowing the cells to divide indefinitely without reaching senescence. This is one of the hallmarks of cancer. While telomerase is not the only factor that contributes to cancer, its activity is a key player in the development of some forms of cancer.

Research has shown that telomerase is active in about 90% of human cancers, including some types of lung, prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2019). However, the exact role of telomerase in cancer is still being studied, and it is not clear whether telomerase is a cause or a consequence of cancer.

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 2 of 34

In conclusion, telomerase is an important enzyme in the regulation of cell division, and its activity is associated with the development of some forms of cancer. However, further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between telomerase and cancer (Shay & Wright, 2019).

Sources: National Cancer Institute. (2019). Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes- prevention/genetics/telomeres-fact-sheet

Shay, J. W., & Wright, W. E. (2019). Telomeres and Telomerase: Three decades of progress. Nature Reviews Genetics, 20(5), 299-309. doi:10.1038/s41576-019-0099-1

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Beyonce Miranda-Gomez (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/129249)

Jun 27, 2023

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Hello Claudia, i definitely appreciate your sources and statistics

within your research. It definitely helps me realize the impact of our

topic.  

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Bonni Haber (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)

Jun 28, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 3 of 34

Claudia, I always enjoy reading your discussions, you have a very

clear way of breaking it down into simpler form! I'm eager to see as

more research develops what we're able to do with this info! 

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Brooklyn Rossi (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/24335)

Jun 29, 2023

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It is great that you made the point to differentiate it being a possible

cause or consequence. Whether it is cause or consequence, it;s study

could lead to monumental breakthroughs in cancer treatments. The

big importance about it is how the research is applied and gone

about. If it is the cause then studying how the enzyme that is causing

the problem is activated can be studied. If it is a consequence, then

scientist would need to look further into the cause of it and where it

comes from. 

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Jomer Ibarreta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/26650)

Jun 30, 2023

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Great discussion, Claudia! According to the information

provided by these sources, telomerase is an enzyme that has

been investigated for the possibility that it could either cause

or prevent cancer. Telomerase is the enzyme that is responsible

for the extension of telomeres, which are protective caps

located at the very end of chromosomes. When telomeres get

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 4 of 34

located at the very end of chromosomes. When telomeres get

too short, it can prevent cells from being able to divide, which

can eventually result in the death of the cell. Telomeres get

shorter as we age. Cancer cells have an excessively high level

of telomerase activity, which enables the cells to reproduce,

develop, and disseminate without being able to be stopped. It

is believed that this behavior is one of the primary causes of

cancer. On the other side, there are researchers who feel that

telomerase has the potential to be exploited in the treatment of

cancer. Telomerase could potentially aid to restore normal

cellular function by replenishing telomeres, which would also

have the effect of inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. In

any scenario, the study of telomerase is an intriguing field of

inquiry that may have important implications for the treatment

of cancer.

Bibliography

 

"Telomeres and Telomerase | American Cancer Society."

American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-

causes/genetics/telomeres-and-telomerase.html.

 

"Telomerase: Definition, Function and Role in Cancer."

MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine,

medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002359.htm.

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Claudia Huerta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137133)

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 5 of 34

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Jul 1, 2023

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Thank you. My mother and Grandmother both died in my arms after

enduring years of cancer.  This is a subject I’m very passionate about.

 

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Beyonce Miranda-Gomez (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/129249)

Jun 27, 2023

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Cancer has always been a very difficult subject, from questions of a cure

to questioning the government. I have always had an interest in knowing

what genetically occurs with Cancer. In doing research on telomerase

enzymes, I have learned a lot about the topic. Firstly, Telomerase is an

enzyme that in the cells that has a ver crucial function in keeping the cell

alive by adding DNA to the end of the chromosomes, which we call

Telomeres. A fact that ties Cancer to telomerase enzymes is that cancer

cells usually have a higher telomerase count that normal cells. In the

article called, "National Cancer Institute," it states, "Each time a cell

divides, the telomeres lose a small amount of DNA and become shorter.

Over time, the chromosomes become damaged and the cells die.

Telomerase helps keep this from happening." This quote helps us

understand the true function and the importance of the telomerase

enzyme. 

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enzyme. 

Initially, with the research and information given just now, I insinuated

that maybe Telomerase also helps keep cancerous cells alive, which in

the end, helps keep cancer long term in metastasis. If you think of it, if

telomerase helps keep cells from dying from small amount of DNA, it

could also keep cancerous cells from dying after metastasis. Metastasis

is when cancerous cells separate and travel through the lymph/blood

system to then create more tumors. So, when metastasis occurs, that

separation might affect any of the cancerous cells involved, which is

when telomerase comes in. They help keep those cancerous cells from

the affect of the process of separation and making more tumors. Hence

the long term and the large impact cancer does. However, that is still my

theory. 

After doing research, I actually got it right! I am actually pleasantly

surprised with this! So, in the end, Telomerase is great for our cells and

DNA, but is bad when it comes to the topic of cancer. Maybe, this is why

it is so difficult to find a cure. If we somehow take telomerase out of the

picture, we have the new problem of weak and dying cells. Apparently,

chemotherapy agents can shorten telomere. Again, telomere is the DNA

at the end of the chromosome that is added by telomerase to keep the

cell alive. So, this confirms the fact that if we take out telomerase or

telomere, we have weak and dying cells. Dying cells have their own

complications and symptoms. In the end, cancer is very dangerous and

serious topic with many questions for a reason, it is very hard to find a

loophole without making more knots.

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 7 of 34

 

https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-

terms/def/telomerase

(https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-

terms/def/telomerase)  

https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s1307

3-016-0324-x

(https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13073-016-

0324-x)  

 

 

  (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-

terms/def/telomerase#:~:text=

(teh%2DLOH%2Dmeh%2D,helps%20keep%20this%20from%20happening.)

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Bonni Haber (She/Her)

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 8 of 34

(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)

Jun 28, 2023

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Beyonce, great addition to the discussion using the photo! The photo

is helpful showing the structure of the chromosome and the telomere

at the tips of the chromosome, gives a great visualization! 

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Claudia Huerta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137133)

Jul 1, 2023

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I would like to express my sincere gratitude to for enriching your post

with a valuable diagram of a chromosome and telomerase. The

inclusion of this visual aid has enhanced my understanding of the

intricate mechanisms underlying cancer development and

progression. Your thoughtful contribution has made the topic more

accessible. :)

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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)

Jul 2, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 9 of 34

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Response to Beyonce:

My initial thought when I began researching this topic was

chemotherapy, so then I began to wonder if chemotherapy aids in the

process of killing or slowing Telomerase. This information is slightly

unclear but it mostly leans to the idea that chemotherapy does

shorten telomeres as you have stated. I also found that stress

increases the speed of telomere shortening which is very ironic.

Cancer has to be one of the most stressful diagnoses to receive just

based on the unknown in my opinion. I eventually found a study that

stress can actually spread cancer faster as the increase in blood

supply can stimulate cancer cells. MIND BLOWN. This topic in

general has taken me down a rabbit hole!

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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)

Jul 3, 2023

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Hello  Beyonce,

Thank you for your response to the discussion board. The picture was

a nice addition to the discussion post. For those of us that are visual

learners it was very helpful. In addition, your response was also filled

with a lot of information in regards to this enzyme and its link to

certain cancers.

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(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)

Jun 27, 2023

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I wish I knew a lot more on this topic versus having to do research on it.

From what I have collected, Telomerase is an enzyme that adds DNA

sequences to the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres. Telomeres

protect chromosomes from damage and shorten with each cell division.

When telomeres become too short, cells can no longer divide and

eventually die. Telomerase is present in most germ cells (sperm and egg

cells) and some stem cells, but it is not active in most adult cells. This is

why adult cells have a limited lifespan. In cancer cells, telomerase is

often reactivated, which allows them to divide indefinitely. This is one of

the reasons why cancer cells are so difficult to kill. 

Some potential applications of telomerase research would be cancer

treatments (telomerase inhibitors could be used to prevent cancer cells

from dividing indefinitely), gene therapy (telomerase could be used to

deliver genes to cells, which could be used to treat genetic diseases),

and Telomerase and Cellular Senescence (telomerase has been explored

as a potential tool to delay cellular senescence and extend the lifespan of

cells. By replenishing telomeres, telomerase activation could potentially

overcome replicative senescence and prolong the proliferative capacity

of cells. This area of research holds promise for applications in

regenerative medicine and tissue engineering). 

 Although telomerase research has shown some promises, there are still

a lot of challenges and ethical considerations associated with its

application in human health. Additional research is necessary to

completely understand the complexities of telomerase regulation and its

potential benefits and risks in various contexts. 

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 11 of 34

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/telomerase#:~:

text=Telomerase%E2%80%94the%20enzyme%20responsible%20f

or,(TR)%20among%20other%20constituents

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/telomerase#:~:text=Te

lomerase%E2%80%94the%20enzyme%20responsible%20for,

(TR)%20among%20other%20constituents) . 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC120798/

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC120798/)  

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2009/09/410886/telomeres-and-

remarkable-telomerase-enzyme

(https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2009/09/410886/telomeres-and-remarkable-

telomerase-enzyme)  

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Telomere

(https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Telomere)  

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Brooklyn Rossi (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/24335)

Jun 29, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 12 of 34

During my research, I did not find sources that elaborated on the

specific applications of the research on the telomerase could be

applied. I know a few people, including myself, that are highly likely to

develop cancer due to genetics. If scientists could discover

advancements in gene therapy, perhaps they could assist with

lowering high-risk individuals for cancer. according to the National

Cancer Institute,"Up to 10% of all cancers may be caused by

inherited genetic changes." 

The genetics of cancer. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.).

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-

prevention/genetics#:~:text=Up%20to%2010%25%20of%20all,of%

20getting%20cancer%20is%20increased.

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Jomer Ibarreta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/26650)

Jun 30, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 13 of 34

Very interesting discussion, Tiara. Regarding the ethical implications

of employing telomerase for medical therapies, I would want to say

something, although the fact that this topic of telomerase has been

covered in considerable depth elsewhere. Despite the fact that

telomerase has the ability to treat age-related ailments and lengthen

lifespan, it might also be utilized to generate designer babies or to

enable those with more money live longer than those with less money.

This has led to ethical questions being asked about the ramifications

of such therapies and whether or not allowing this technology could

lead to a loss in social equality (Tripathi, 2020; Guarente, 2019).

These considerations have been raised as a result of the fact that

this has occurred. Before telomerase is widely utilized in medical

therapies, it is imperative that additional consideration be given to

the ethical considerations that may arise from its use.

 

Bibliography

 

Guarente, L. (2019). Telomerase, Aging, and Disease. Cell, 178(6),

1177-1186.

 

Tripathi, A. (2020). Ethical Considerations of the Use of Telomerase

in Medical Treatments. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 11(3), 88-

91.

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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)

Jul 2, 2023

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 14 of 34

 Reply

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Response to Tiara Taylor:

I also wish I had known more on this topic as my 10-year-old niece

has battled cancer twice beginning at the age of 3 and relapsing at

the age of 6. I searched for any information I could find on if

Telomerase would be higher in adults due to this being an aged cycle

compared to children but I was unsuccessful in finding a definitive

answer. Your statement, "Although telomerase research has shown

some promises, there are still a lot of challenges and ethical

considerations associated with its application in human health" was

very interesting to me so I researched that further. It took me down

an odd path that led to the idea of cloning. It is amazing what

scientific advances that we have the possibility of seeing in our

lifetime. 

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Bonni Haber (She/Her) (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/107427)

Jun 28, 2023

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In order to explain what the enzyme telomerase's function is and how it

is linked to some forms of

cancer, it is important to first know what telomere is. As defined by the

National Human Genome

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 15 of 34

National Human Genome

Research Institute, "A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA sequences

at the end of a chromosome.

Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from becoming frayed or

tangled. Each time a cell divides,

the telomeres become slightly shorter. Eventually, they become so short

that the cell can no longer divide

successfully, and the cell dies." (Chadwick, 2023) In simple terms a

telomere simply protects the ends of

chromosomes from being damaged or getting hung up on anything.

In the process of cell division a small part of the telomere gets cut off. In

types of cells that divide alot an

enzyme called telomerase adds short caps of telomere back onto the

ends of the chromosome.

Telomerase is present in most cells but over time it's production

declines. So basically with telomerase

the chromosome can continue to keep adding onto the end of the

telomere cap and continue to function

and replicate. Without it the cell can eventually become to short and die

off.

This process has lead some scientists to believe that telomerase is the

secret to anti-aging. If you google

telomerase there is actually alot of supplements that pop up. However,

the problem is human tumor cells

derived from carcinomas seem to use telomerase to their advantage.

They seem to bypass DNA damage

signaling which eventually at the end leads to telomerase engagement.

This enables the cancer cells to

continually rebuild (add back on to the telomere cap) and divide and

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 16 of 34

replicate. According to the National

Library of Medicine, "Telomerase, is detected in approximately 90% of all

malignant tumors [7], may

predict poor or favorable outcome [18], thus making telomerase both a

highly attractive biomarker and

target for the development of mechanism-based cancer diagnostics,

prognostics, and therapeutics."

(Shay, 2011)

 

Chadwick, L. H., Ph.D. (2023, June 23). Telomere. National Human

Genome Research Institute.

Retrieved June 28, 2023, from https://www.genome.gov/genetics-

glossary/Telomere (https://www.genome.gov/genetics-

glossary/Telomere)

Shay, J. W., & Wright, W. E. (2011). Role of telomeres and telomerase in

cancer. Seminars in cancer

biology, 21(6), 349–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2011.10.001

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Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)

Jun 30, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 17 of 34

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Hi Bonni, 

 

I like where you mentioned if you google telomerase there is actually

a lot of supplements that pop up. Because, I had a hard time with

this discussion as I saw so many different things that came up and

deciding which information was legit and which wasn't. Like I went

and looked up when you mentioned human tumor cells derived from

carcinomas seem to use telomerase to their advantage. It seems that

there is still a lot to be researched and learned in regards to

telomerase. I hope that with how science is more and more on the

forefront with people realizing science can help change/improve lives

that we are able to be able to better determine things and how they

function and what causes them so it an be caught early on. Great

post!

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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)

Jun 28, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 18 of 34

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Our DNS is at risk of damage so at the ends of DNS segments called

telomeres limit the damage. They also shield coding from the impacts of

normal DNA replication. Over time through DNA replication telomeres

get shorter and shorter with each round. Once they become too short to

limit damage they die off or in other words the go to an arrested state

known as senescence. This process helps with the number of times a cell

can replicate preventing unregulated growth. Unregulated growth is

synonymous with cancer.

Most cancer cells have telomerase which is normally turned off in most

cells. When the length of telomere is maintained cancer cells avoid

shortening and senescence. This is how telomerase cancer cells can

divide without limitation. To make things worse, telomere shortening can

also lead to cancer cells because the DNA is susceptible to damage

which can cause cancer.

Not only does telomeres create cancer, the length of them also has

consequences. In some types of cancers shortened telomeres increase

the risk of metastasis. Multiple things can affect telomeres length and

directly affect several types of cancers. To name a few is obesity, physical

activity, hereditary mutations and gene mutations.

https://www.aacr.org/blog/2022/09/16/the-end-game-targeting-

telomere-processing-in-cancer/

(https://www.aacr.org/blog/2022/09/16/the-end-game-targeting-telomere-

processing-in-cancer/)  

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 19 of 34

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Brooklyn Rossi (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/24335)

Jun 29, 2023

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There is a lot of evidence to the link between telomerase and cancer.

Telomeres are the tips caps on the ends of chromosomes that protect.

Their length is linked to aging do to the fact that it shortens a little more

every time the cell divides. Once it gets too short, it is signals the cell to

stop replicating and/or essentially "die."  In cancer cells, this the

Telomeres are longer then normal and replicate faster. This is basically

makes the cells larger, live longer, and reproduce faster. They achieve

these longer telomeres because they activate telomerases enzymes that

continually add to the telomeres. These cells can not die because of this

interaction. It has been found that the telomerases is inactive in normal

cells, but a large majority of cancer cells have it active. Scientist have not

figured out how to target this protein. It is a promising way to look in

cancer treatment because if its link to making cancer cells "immortal."

We can hope in the future the focus on this can develop a drug to

prevent cancer or even its spread.

 

Are telomeres the key to aging and cancer. (n.d.).

https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/telomeres#:~:text=If%20it

s%20telomeres%20get%20too,kidney%2C%20and%20head%20and%

20neck

 

Robinson, N. J., & Schiemann, W. P. (2022, February 5). Telomerase in

cancer: Function, regulation, and clinical translation. Cancers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834434/

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 20 of 34

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834434/

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834434/)

 

Staff, D.-F. (2022, April 13). What are telomeres and how do they play a

role in cancer?: Dana-Farber. Dana. https://blog.dana-

farber.org/insight/2020/11/what-are-telomeres-and-how-do-they-

play-a-role-in-

cancer/#:~:text=Cancer%20cells%20often%20avoid%20senescenc

e,causing%20senescence%20or%20cell%20death

(https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2020/11/what-are-telomeres-and-how-

do-they-play-a-role-in-

cancer/#:~:text=Cancer%20cells%20often%20avoid%20senescence,causin

g%20senescence%20or%20cell%20death)

 

 

 

 

 

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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)

Jul 1, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 21 of 34

 Reply

Hello Brooklyn,

I liked how you explained the reasoning that the telomerase enzyme

is needed, gave good background knowledge to help explain. I also

think that this enzyme, with the right amount of research, might be

the key to help those affected by cancer and hopefully one day be in

a world where cancer is a thing of the past.

Great discussion!

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Jomer Ibarreta (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/26650)

Jun 30, 2023



The telomerase enzyme is a naturally occurring enzyme that can be found

in human bodies and has been associated with a higher risk of

developing cancer. It has been demonstrated to play a part in the

replication and preservation of chromosomal DNA throughout the

process of cell division, which is of utmost importance in the fight

against cancer. Researchers have discovered that elevating levels of the

telomerase enzyme can play a role in warding off the development of

cancer. In addition to this, the telomerase enzyme can assist in the

repair of telomeres that have become damaged as a result of the effects

of aging or other environmental variables. This can assist in lowering the

likelihood that the body will develop cancer. Telomerase enzyme is an

enzyme that helps to maintain the length of telomeres, which are areas

7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 22 of 34

enzyme that helps to maintain the length of telomeres, which are areas

of repeating nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes that serve

to protect the end of the chromosome from being degraded. Telomeres

are maintained at a healthy length by an enzyme called telomerase

enzyme. On the other hand, telomerase has been linked to a number of

different kinds of cancer, such as glioblastoma, breast cancer, and

leukemia. Research has shown that the activity of telomerase is

significantly higher in cancer cells than it is in normal cells. This finding

lends credence to the theory that telomerase may play a role in the

progression of some cancers. More study is required in order to have a

better understanding of the role that telomerase plays in cancer.

 

 

Bibliography:

"Telomerase Activity in Cancer." Cancer.Net, American Society of Clinical

Oncology, www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-

healthy-living/telomerase-activity-cancer.

Pellacani, David. "Telomerase Enzymes and Cancer." National Center for

Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Dec.

2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3966014/.In conclusion,

telomerase enzyme has an important role in preventing cancer and

reducing the risk of it developing in the body.

"Telomerase Enzyme: What Is It and What Does It Do?" Encyclopedia

Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/science/telomerase-enzyme.

"Telomerase and Cancer: What Are the Links?" National Cancer Institute,

National Institutes of Health, https://www.cancer.gov/about-

cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/telomerase-fact-sheet.

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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)

Jul 1, 2023



Hello Jomer,

I liked with how in-depth you went with the ways and types of cancer

that can be apparent with telomerase involved, I did not know that it

could lead to that many different types of cancer. I also did not know

that they are researching that adding more of the telomerase enzyme

can actually lead to warding off cancerous type cells.

Great discussion!

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Corbin Miller (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/54253)

Jul 1, 2023

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Telomerase can play a role in the development of cancerous like tumors.

It all starts with something called telomeres. As stated by the The

National Institute of Medicine "Telomeres consist of a capping structure,

which is a specialized nucleoprotein structure consisting of DNA and

shelterin protein complexes."(Shammas, 2011). These "end caps" are on

both sides of the chromosome to help protect them from a nucleolytic

degradation along with unnecessary repair. As cells divide to form more

cells these telomere end caps start to break down and get thinner as

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cells these telomere end caps start to break down and get thinner as

more cell division happens. This is where an enzyme called Telomerase

comes in, this enzyme helps repairs these end caps to help reverse the

effects of the DNA loss from replication. The issue with this is that it can

promote the instability of the genome which can stimulate the beginning

of early stages of cancer. These enzymes are actually crucial for the start

and survival of cancerous tumors as well (Jafri et al., 2016). It is due to

the uncontrollability of cell division, it just keeps dividing creating more

and more. In the end, Telomerase is crucial to the continuation of healthy

cell division but can also be more harmful than good as it can promote

and sustain cancerous cells. 

Cited sources:

Jafri, M. A., Ansari, S. A., Alqahtani, M. H., & Shay, J. W. (2016, June 20).

Roles of telomeres and telomerase in cancer, and advances in

telomerase-targeted therapies. Genome medicine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915101/

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915101/)

Shammas, M. A. (2011, January). Telomeres, lifestyle, cancer, and aging.

Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370421/#:~:text=Telomer

es%2C%20the%20specific%20DNA%E2%80%93protein,the%20infor

mation%20in%20our%20genome.

 

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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)

Jul 3, 2023

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 Reply



Hi Corbin,

This assignment has be intriguing to me. As you mention telomerase

is necessary for healthy cell division but is devastating with cancer

cells. Our bodies and its design is so complex and any little

disruption can send it into a tailspin. This is also something that I

took from a previous discussion on genetic disorders.

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Ashley Burris (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/142506)

Jul 2, 2023



7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 26 of 34

Telomerase is an enzyme that can be linked to cancers such as

pancreatic, bone, prostate, bladder, lung, kidney, head, and neck. These

structures are intended to cap off the ends of chromosomes to protect

DNA from damage. “Telomeres, repetitive (TTAGGG) DNA–protein

complexes at the ends of chromosomes, are crucial for the survival of

cancer cells.” (Shay 2016). “This is possible because the cancer cells

activate an enzyme called telomerase, which adds genetic units onto the

telomeres to prevent them from shortening to the point of causing

senescence or cell death.” (Lindsley 2020). In layman’s terms, every time

the cell divides itself it loses telomeres, the cancer cells initiate a

process to stop the loss of the telomeres so it can grow. There have also

been studies that our life span could be elongated by activating

telomerase. However, the downside of this would be a high percentage

risk of developing cancer as the elongation is what stabilizes the cancer

cells to help them grow. “The limited capacity that cells have to divide is

a good thing because as cells divide, they make mistakes in replicating

their genome. Those mistakes, or mutations, can cause cancer.”

(McKelvey 2020).

 

Jerry W. Shay, “Roles of telomeres in cancer and advances in telomerase-

targeted therapies”, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) , Genome Med, June 20, 2016.

Coleman Lindsley, MD, PhD, “What are telomeres and how do they play a

role in cancer?”, www.blog.dana-farber.org, Dana-Farber Research,

November 17, 2020.

Brittany Avin McKelvey, “Live forever? Cancer and the darker side of

telomerase”, www.oncobites.blog, May 20, 2020.

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Tiara Taylor (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/13719)

Jul 3, 2023



Hi Ashley, 

I really didn't know much about this topic, but it was interesting in

learning about some of the factors, how it seemed to come about and

what is being done to learn more and more about it. I will say that I

was a little nervous reading some of the information in regards to

this topic. One part that was rather frightening to read was when you

mentioned that "the downside of this would be a high percentage risk

of developing cancer as the elongation is what stabilizes the cancer

cells to help them grow", as I did read that as well. I really hope that

science gets more respect so that people can know that it's to help

save lives and be able to help us better predict things. Nice post.

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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)

Jul 3, 2023



7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 28 of 34

 Reply

Hello Ashley, 

Thank you for your response to the discussion board. Even though I

did my own research on the topic, I still did not know what types of

cancer this enzyme was linked to causing. I appreciate you listing

some, if not all, the cancers linked to Telomerase. This was a great

addition to the discussion board. Thank you for the details and

information you added.

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Brianna Neeley (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/139670)

Jul 3, 2023



On my research concerning telomerase I have found that it is actually

quite popular as a supplement oddly enough. To see that this enzyme is

linked to causing cancer but still actually has positive effects enough to

be sold on the market is quite fascinating. I am sure everyone on this

discussion will write about its adverse effects so I will instead add some

research on how it is positive for our body's makeup.

So there was a lot of good sources sharing information about Telomerase

supplements. Telomerase supplements are products that are made to

increase the activity of Telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain

telomeres, the protective tip of chromosomes. Telomeres tend to shorten

with age which contributes to aging and disease. Telomerase

supplements contain nutrients that activate telomerase like astragalus

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supplements contain nutrients that activate telomerase like astragalus

root extract, korean ginseng extract, and vitamin D to name a few. These

supplements have anti-aging and health benefits. 

 A chromosome is essentially a long, long piece of DNA that has really

wrapped itself up. The problem is that the long piece of DNA has two

ends, and they're just hanging out there loose. A lot of things could go

wrong if those ends aren't protected. They could get cut off, or they could

join onto other loose DNA ends, which could be a problem for the cell.

Telomeres are how cells protect chromosome ends. The telomere itself is

a long stretch of a specific short DNA sequence repeated over and over.

At the very end of the telomere is a sort of knot called the "T-loop," which

keeps the chromosome ends from all sticking together. Every time a cell

divides, some of those telomere repeats get cut off. So in certain cell

types that divide a lot, an enzyme called "telomerase" adds those repeats

back so the telomere doesn't get too short. Telomeres are important for

keeping our cells healthy and young. 

Sources:

“Telomere.” Genome.gov, www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Telomere.

Hornsby, Peter J. “Telomerase and the Aging Process.” Experimental

Gerontology, vol. 42, no. 7, Elsevier BV, July 2007, pp. 575–81,

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2007.03.007.

 

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Robin Patterson (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/148704)

Jul 3, 2023

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7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 30 of 34

 Reply

Hi Brianna,

I personally take vitamin D and did not realize that it is a telomerase

supplement. It makes me wonder if physicians have cancer patients

stop taking known telomerase supplements after diagnosis. Its

obvious telomerase is necessary to protect our DNA but it also

appears to have very negative effects as well with cancer patients. 

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Alexis Clements (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/137316)

Jul 3, 2023



7/10/23, 1:29 AM Page 31 of 34

 Reply

Telomerase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the maintenance and

preservation of the telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of

chromosomes. Telomerase activity is exhibited in gametes, stem cells,

and tumor cells. Research has shown that upregulation of telomerase

activity is closely associated with the development and progression of

various types of cancer. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes and

shorten with each round of cell division. When telomeres become

critically short, cells typically undergo senescence or apoptosis. By

maintaining the length of telomeres, cancer cells can avoid senescence

and continue to divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of tumors.

Telomerase activation is often associated with more aggressive tumor

behavior and metastasis. Extended telomeres provide cancer cells with

enhanced genomic stability and allow them to evade the mechanisms

that typically suppress tumor growth.

 

https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2020/11/what-are-telomeres-

and-how-do-they-play-a-role-in-

cancer/#:~:text=Cancer%20cells%20often%20avoid%20senescenc

e,causing%20senescence%20or%20cell%20death

(https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2020/11/what-are-telomeres-and-how-

do-they-play-a-role-in-

cancer/#:~:text=Cancer%20cells%20often%20avoid%20senescence,causin

g%20senescence%20or%20cell%20death) .

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834434/

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834434/)

 

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(https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/113155)Cori Perry (https://canvas.fscj.edu/courses/71848/users/113155)

Friday



Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at each end of a

chromosome that protect the end of the chromosome from deterioration

or from fusion with neighboring chromosomes.

Telomerase is an enzyme in a eukaryote that repairs the telomeres of the

chromosomes so that they do not become progressively shorter during

successive rounds of chromosome replication. As your chromosomes

replicate, your telomeres shorten. Telomerase helps prevent too much

wear and tear.

Telomerase is an enzyme found inside our cells, which may be related to

the aging process. It adds short, repetitive “caps” to our DNA strands.

These caps are called “telomeres.”

Scientists believe that the loss of telomeres leads to eventual loss of

important, coding regions of DNA, and that this impairs cells’ ability to

divide and produce healthy daughter cells over time.

This idea is supported by studies finding that mice which lack the

enzyme telomerase appear to age and develop age-related diseases

faster than normal mice. These effects of premature aging can actually

be reversed by artificially adding telomerase to mouse cells!

These findings have led some scientists to speculate that telomerase

may be a potential “fountain of youth” which, if used properly, could stop

the aging process and keep our cells young and healthy indefinitely.

Other scientists, however, caution that there is not sufficient data to

believe that is true, and that artificially adding telomerase to our bodies

could increase our risk of cancer. (Biology Dictionary)

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could increase our risk of cancer. (Biology Dictionary)

The maintenance of telomeres by the

cellular ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase is of well-documented

importance for cancer. Telomerase, a cellular reverse transcriptase that

adds DNA to the ends of chromosomes, is reactivated or upregulated in

the vast majority of advanced malignancies and is thus an almost

universal target for the treatment of human cancers. Most human tumors

not only express telomerase but also have very short telomeres, whereas

telomerase activity is absent or at lower levels in normal tissues which

also have longer telomeres. This relationship between activation of

telomerase activity and short telomeres in human malignancies makes

the inhibition of telomerase a valuable target for cancer therapeutics.

(Lansdorp, Peter)

 In conclusion, while there is much more studying and research to be

done on telomerase, it seems that all signs are pointing to it being an

extremely valuable weapon in helping cancer treatments.

 

Biology Dictionary. “Telomerase.” Biology Dictionary, July 2017,

biologydictionary.net/telomerase.

Lansdorp, Peter M. “Telomeres and Telomerase Regulation.” Elsevier

eBooks, 2004, pp. 127–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-012436643-

5/50101-2.

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