In a recent Cell Reports paper, CMRI’s Telomere Length Regulation Unit and Bioinformatics team tease out more information on how ALT cancer cells lengthen their telomeres. 

Telomeres are repetitive DNA structures that protect the ends of our chromosomes, much like the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces protect them from fraying. Telomeres are normally lost each time a cell divides, leading to cellular aging, where cells can no longer divide or replenish themselves. 

Cancer cells, however, are able to lengthen telomere DNA and keep growing indefinitely. This is what allows tumours to form. 

About 15% of all cancers use a method called Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) to add back telomere DNA. In this study, the researchers look at the function of MutS, a gene involved in DNA mismatch repair, which they have found helps the fidelity of ALT telomere lengthening.

Find out more here.