Telomeres define and predict the fate of our cells, and are capable to direct the manner of quality and the quantitative values in the specific biological and molecular
events. Telomeres could be also named as ‘Frontiers in cells’
By looking at a carved tree, we realize the multifarious position of circles indicative of its age. But, in human, it is rather more complicated and we are exposed to
the multi-influential factors, cooperating with the telomere territory. Therefore, the
phenotype, as a sole, could not reflect the real age of the apparently normal and
healthy individuals. Such machinery is even more confusing in cancer patients.
Telomeres act as a ‘Bio-Polar System’ within the cells which could direct and
govern further events in our body.
In programming, ‘telomeres begin and terminate the cellular life’. Telomeres
make the history of cellular fate, health status, the manner, and future of all cell
types which contain chromosomal territory. Telomeres act as guard, protect the
cells and guarantee the flow of existence and quality of life.
Telomeres, manage and interact with many events for cancer-puzzling. Normal
telomere, ‘announcer of life’. Abnormal telomeres, ‘trigger and predictor of age
and cancer’. In tact telomeres, ‘end points of natural and health status’. Telomeres
are tracer as predictor, and prognostic values in health and malignant conditions.
Shorter telomeres direct aberrant function of telomerase and could act as two edged
sward.
Remembering the pioneers who discovered the original facts in telomere and
telomerase, seems to be essential; Alexei Olovnikov and Leonard Hayflick (early
1970s) by paving the way, later on Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, and Jack
Szostak (1975–1978) the winner of 2009 Nobel Prize, had discovered the key role
of telomeres and the enzyme telomerase for the protection of chromosomes. The
original work of Russian theorist Alexei Olovnikov during 1970–1973, is highly
appreciated. As he defined the root of Greek words for telomeres (telos “end” and
merοs “part”), it had been clarified that why the end parts of chromosomes are so
critical for the cellular fate and life.
Telomeres are not isolated; they are cooperative and interact with the whole machinery of Cell Biology, Genetics, and environment. They affect other cellular and
molecular behavior, and could be affected by many targets in the cellular territories. Chapter 1, “Telomerase From aging to human cancers” provides a complementary basis to serve the scientific investigators with the recent advances of telomerase
in human cancers and aging.
Chapter 2, “Telomerase: Basic and clinical approaches” provides the key aspects
in telomerase. Specifically, discuss our data on, (1) Association between telomerase
activity and hTR in primary breast cancer patients, and (2) By considering clinicopathological parameters, expression of hTR and hTERT in the same patients were
also included in this chapter.
Chapter 3, “Detection of telomerase activity: A New Strategy for Detecting
Low Activity of Telomerase” presents a progressive and essentials techniques for
detecting the telomerase activity including the “Trap assay family”. In addition, to
bypass limitation such as low activity of telomerase, a new strategy has been also
provided in which our data is presented.Chapter 4, “Telomere, Regulation and Tumorigenesis” mainly, focus on the
classic information on structure, interaction between telomeres and DNA damage
response, gene expression; and regulation of telomeric chromatin. Mechanism of
telomere maintenance and Telomere position effect is also provided. Finally, our
data on “telomere and telomerase in brain tumors” is included in this chapter.
Chapter 5, “Novel hypothesis on telomere length: heterogenic targets as genomics/ somatic diverse value in breast cancer and brain tumor” explores the genomicsomatic scenario of telomere length which was initially begun in a group of our
patients affected with primary breast cancer, by including the follow up study. In
second step, the same model of study was conducted in the patients affected with
primary brain tumors.
Chapter 6, “Telomere, Methylation and Nutrition” provides the most important
facts regarding the impact of nutritional elements on telomere length, DNA methylation and cancer predisposition. By improving the routine diet composition, the
process of aging and cancer could be somehow protected. Such plan would provide
a positive impact on the longevity and health of next generations in our pedigrees.
The final message would be ‘balancing the dietary elements’.
Chapter 7, “Cancer stem cell” provides basic Information on stem cells and
cancer stem cells. Paradigm of gene- gene interactions and cooperation between
telomeres and CD44+/Cd24- marker are discussed. The final word emphasized on
the translational impact of this marker ‘CSC is the key target for personalized breast
cancer management.’
Mini chapter 8, “Closing highlights: Final statements at a glance” defines telomere territory as a globalizing domain in genetics and cell biology, interacting with
many molecular and cellular targets, which dictate our style of life. The new insight
include personalized selection, and cancer family indices through which an appropriate approaches could be planned within specific pedigrees as cancer-prone families. This avenue would facilitate to consider the personalized cancer management.
Finally, whatever we learn about cellular duties in our body, there are still many
unmasked facts in telomere territory.
I would also like to gratitude the continuous cooperation of surgeons, nurses,
the clinical supportive team, and patients in our projects, whose mutual endeavor is
sincerely appreciated
