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Telomeres and telomerase in endocrine pathology

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Abstract

Telomeres representing repetitive DNA sequences of chromosome ends are necessary for maintaining chromosomal integrity. The enzyme telomerase synthesizes de novo telomeric repeats and incorporates them onto the DNA 3′-ends of chromosomes. Stability of chromosome ends and activation of telomerase are elementary requirements for cell immortalization and tumor progression. The telomeric length and telomerase activity have been recently studied in several human neoplasms, including those of endocrine tissues. Assessment of telomerase activity may help to distinguish normal or hyperplastic from neoplastic tissues. Inhibition or inactivation of telomerase activity may provide novel strategies for cancer therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, “G. Gennimatas” Athens General Hospital, 154 Messogion Avenue, 115 27, Athens, Greece

    George Kontogeorgos

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    George Kontogeorgos & Kalman Kovacs

Authors
  1. George Kontogeorgos
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  2. Kalman Kovacs
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Correspondence to George Kontogeorgos.

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Kontogeorgos, G., Kovacs, K. Telomeres and telomerase in endocrine pathology. Endocr 9, 133–138 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:9:2:133

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:9:2:133

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