telomerase inhibitor activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Binds to and stops, prevents or reduces the activity of telomerase. [GOC:dph, GOC:krc, GOC:tb]

Telomerase inhibitor activity refers to the ability of a molecule to inhibit the activity of the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres. These telomeres act as protective caps, preventing degradation of the chromosome ends during DNA replication. Telomerase activity is essential for the maintenance of chromosome stability and cell viability. In normal somatic cells, telomerase activity is generally low or absent, resulting in telomere shortening with each cell division. This shortening eventually leads to cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest. However, in cancer cells, telomerase activity is often reactivated, allowing these cells to proliferate indefinitely without undergoing senescence. Telomerase inhibitors work by blocking the function of telomerase, preventing it from adding telomeric repeats to chromosome ends. This leads to telomere shortening and ultimately, cell death. By inhibiting telomerase activity, these inhibitors hold the potential for anticancer therapy, as they can selectively target cancer cells that depend on telomerase for their survival.'
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Proteins (2)

Compounds (3)