The order of PNA-FISH-detected chromosomal telomere lengths in human T-cells is rather stable, even under the influence of strong mutagens

  • Authors:
    • U. Wick
    • E. Gebhart
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: November 1, 2005     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.16.5.951
  • Pages: 951-957
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Abstract

The nucleo-protein structure of an intact telomere protects each chromosome from being recognized as a break and subsequently being degraded. The DNA component of this structure, the telomeric repeats, undergo attrition with every cell division, as well as in response to endogenous events, like oxidative stress. Exposure to exogenous damage promotes this process and leads to growth arrest, apoptosis and eventually to malignant transformation. It was thought that the shortest chromosome ends in humans are the most susceptible ones to become dysfunctional telomeres, and have therefore an important role in cell death and cancer. Here, we show that a stable hierarchy exists in the form of a telomere length profile of the whole human karyotype. This rank order is conserved between different human cell types and individuals, is maintained throughout a lifetime, and seems to be genetically determined. As a particular feature, this telomere length profile differs only marginally when normal human cell cultures and malignant transformed cells are compared. The profile is moreover stable when these different human cells are exposed to mutagens such as bleomycin or mitomycin C. From these findings, the question arises if also the stably long telomeres have a basic biological function.

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November 2005
Volume 16 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Wick U and Gebhart E: The order of PNA-FISH-detected chromosomal telomere lengths in human T-cells is rather stable, even under the influence of strong mutagens. Int J Mol Med 16: 951-957, 2005.
APA
Wick, U., & Gebhart, E. (2005). The order of PNA-FISH-detected chromosomal telomere lengths in human T-cells is rather stable, even under the influence of strong mutagens. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 16, 951-957. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.16.5.951
MLA
Wick, U., Gebhart, E."The order of PNA-FISH-detected chromosomal telomere lengths in human T-cells is rather stable, even under the influence of strong mutagens". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 16.5 (2005): 951-957.
Chicago
Wick, U., Gebhart, E."The order of PNA-FISH-detected chromosomal telomere lengths in human T-cells is rather stable, even under the influence of strong mutagens". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 16, no. 5 (2005): 951-957. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.16.5.951