Progress in research on telomerase

cDNAs of some telomerase proteins have been cloned. The probable reasons of error in the assay of telomerase activity have been analyzed. TRF1 and the newly found TRF2 are regulation factors of telomerase activity. Telomerase activity can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in many cancer types. Relationship of telomerase activity and tumorigenesis is discussed. Potential of suppressing telomerase activity by antisense oligonucleotides and the problems initiated by it are also reviewed.