Transient telomere dysfunction induces chromosomal instability and promotes carcinogenesis in telomerase-proficient mice
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ABSTRACT: Background and Aims: Telomere dysfunction can increase tumor initiation by induction of chromosomal instability, but initiated tumor cells need to reactivate telomerase for genome stabilization and tumor progression. However, this concept has not been proven in vivo since appropriate mouse models were lacking. Here, we analyzed hepatocarcinogenesis (i) in a novel mouse model of inducible telomere dysfunction on a telomerase-proficient background, (ii) in telomerase knockout mice with chronic telomere dysfunction (G3 mTerc-/-), and (iii) in wild-type mice with functional telomeres and telomerase. Transient or chronic telomere dysfunction enhanced the rates of chromosomal aberrations during hepatocarcinogenesis, but only telomerase-proficient mice exhibited significantly increased rates of macroscopic tumor formation and cancer cell proliferation in response to telomere dysfunction. In contrast, telomere dysfunction resulted in pronounced accumulation of DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in telomerase-deficient liver tumors. Together, these data provide the first in vivo evidence that transient telomere dysfunction during early and late stages of tumorigenesis can promote chromosomal instability and carcinogenesis in telomerase-proficient mice in the absence of additional genetic checkpoint defects at germline level.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE36813 | GEO | 2012/03/31
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA157343
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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