Arsenic and old telomeres

Telomerase, the enzyme responsible for adding telomere repeats to the end of each chromosome, prevents both gradual chromosomal degradation and sudden loss of normal cell function. Because telomerase activation is one means by which cancer cells escape normal growth control, there has been considerable interest in blocking its function or expression. Now Chou et al. report that arsenic, one of the oldest known agents in medical history, has just such an effect.

Contact:
John Ashkenas
scied@the-jci.org
416-946-7593
Journal of Clinical Investigation

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Contact:
Trent Stockton
tstockt1@jhmi.edu
410-955-8665
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Message posted by: Wouter Kalle