Research progress of telomere,telomerase and human telomerase reverse transcriptase in tumors

Telomere and telomerase maintain the stability of chromosome in structure and function. Studies have found that they are closely related with the development of human tumors. Telomeres are deoxyribonucleic acid in the terminal of chromosome of eukaryotes to maintain the integrity of chromosome. Telomerase is a kind of special structure of nucleoprotein, it prolongs the telomere and maintains the telomere's stability, and it is directly related to the unlimited proliferation and canceration of cells. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is both the important component and speed limit subunit of telomerase, it directly determines the telomerase activity. Further studies on structure, function and interaction of telomere, telomerase and hTERT help understand the developing mechanisms of tumors, they have important significance to the tumor diagnosis and treatment, and can provide new targets for cancer treatment. Key words: Neoplasms; Telomere; Telomerase; Human telomerase reverse transcriptase