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Sydney, Australia – Researchers at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) have made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing an “unexpected mechanism” by which cells utilize telomeres to prevent cancer. This finding, published in Nature Communications, sheds new light on the active role these protective chromosome caps play in cellular health.
Telomeres, often likened to the plastic tips on shoelaces, are crucial for maintaining chromosome stability. Their length naturally decreases with cell division, a process associated with aging. This shortening acts as a natural brake, halting cell division to prevent uncontrolled growth, a key feature of cancer.
Professor Tony Cesare’s Genome Integrity Unit at CMRI, in collaboration with the University of Kyoto, challenged the conventional view of telomeres as merely passive markers of aging. Their research demonstrates that telomeres actively respond to cellular stress, triggering a response akin to accelerated aging as a defense against cancer.
“Most people think of telomeres as a passive entity that shorten with cell division; this is a passive fail-safe used during aging,” Prof. Cesare explained. “Our data shows telomeres are much more active. They can acutely respond to stress and actively open up to turn on a cellular response that looks like aging. They do this to avoid cancer.”
This active response can lead to cell cycle arrest or even cell death, effectively eliminating damaged cells with chromosome errors before they can proliferate. This previously unknown mechanism suggests that telomeres possess a more dynamic and crucial role in cancer prevention than previously understood.
The discovery, detailed in the Nature Communications publication titled “A CPC-shelterin-BTR axis regulates mitotic telomere deprotection,” highlights the intricate interplay between telomeres, cellular stress, and cancer prevention.
“This can lead to cell cycle arrest, or death, to prevent these damaged cells with chromosome errors from dividing further. This suggests telomeres have another anti-cancer mechanism that was previously unknown,” Prof. Cesare elaborated.
Beyond its significance in the telomere field, this research opens potential avenues for cancer treatment. Researchers may be able to target telomeres to induce cell death in cancer cells, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.
The study, led by Diana Romero-Zamora, provides a deeper understanding of telomere function and its implications for cancer research.
Publication Details:
- Diana Romero-Zamora et al., A CPC-shelterin-BTR axis regulates mitotic telomere deprotection, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57456-8
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information provided by the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Further research and clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and translate them into effective cancer treatments. The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns.
