端粒酶逆转录酶组分与肝癌研究

Studies on telomerase reverse transcriptase components and liver cancer

端粒是真核细胞染色体末端的DNA串联重复序列，在维持染色体的稳定性和完整性方面起重要作用。随着细胞的增殖，端粒逐渐缩短，当缩短至一定程度，细胞便出现衰老和凋亡，但少数细胞能通过端粒长度维持机制（激活端粒酶或其他机制）使端粒延长并恢复功能，部分细胞出现永生化，因此端粒及端粒酶被认为与肿瘤的发生、发展有密切联系。已证实端粒酶激活是原发性肝癌发生的早期事件，尤其是端粒酶的重要组分TERT具有重要作用。现就近年端粒酶功能及其调节机制，以及TERT在原发性肝癌，主要是肝细胞癌（简称为肝癌）的发生、发展与治疗中的作用研究进展进行综述，以期为干预肝癌的发生与靶向治疗提供分子遗传学基础。

Telomeres are DNA tandem repeats at the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells and play important roles in maintaining the stability and integrity of chromosomes. Telomeres are gradually shortened with cell proliferation, and when they are shortened to a certain length, the cells experience senescence and apoptosis. However, a small number of cells can maintain the length of telomeres and restore their function through related mechanisms （activation of telomerase or other mechanisms）, and some cells may even be immortalized. Therefore, telomere and telomerase are thought to be closely associated with tumor development and progression. It has been confirmed that telomerase activation is an early event in the development of primary liver cancer, especially the important component of telomerase telomerase reverse transcriptase （TERT）, which plays an important role in this process. Here this article reviews the latest research advances in the function and regulation mechanisms of telomerase and the role of TERT in the development, progression, and treatment of primary liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, so as to provide a molecular genetic basis for intervention of liver cancer and related targeted therapy.