Biologists unravel pathway for cancer cells to become immortal
Biologists unravel pathway for cancer cells to become immortal By: Richard C. Lewis | 2021.03.03 | 11:07 am Cancer cells have been described as immortal because, unlike normal cells, they don’t age and die, but instead can continue to multiply without end. In most cases, cancer cells become immortal by invoking a genetic mutation that can trigger the production of an enzyme, known as telomerase, which prevents telomeres from shortening. Telomeres are important because they prevent DNA-containing chromosomes from damage or fusing with nearby chromosomes. The longer the telomere,...
Source: uiowa.edu