Cited by 153Telomeres, Telomerase, and SenescencePluripotent Stem Cells ResearchGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms

Overexpression of Telomerase Confers Growth Advantage, Stress Resistance, and Enhanced Differentiation of ESCs Toward the Hematopoietic Lineage

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Armstrong, L., Saretzki, G., Peters, H., Wappler, I., Evans, J., Hole, N., von Zglinicki, T., Lako, M.·2005·Stem Cells

Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are capable of extended self-renewal and maintenance of pluripotency even after many population doublings. This is supported by high levels of telomerase activity and enhanced antioxidant protection in ESCs, both of which are downregulated during differentiation. To examine the role of telomerase for ESC self-renewal and differentiation, we overexpressed the reverse transcriptase subunit (Tert) of murine telomerase in ESCs. Increased telomerase activity enhances the self-renewal ability of the Tert-overexpressing ESCs, improves their resistance to apoptosis, and increases their proliferation. The differentiated progeny of wild-type ESCs express little Tert and show shortening of telomeric overhangs. In contrast, the progeny of Tert-overexpressing ESCs maintain high telomerase activity, as well as the length of G-rich overhangs. In addition, these cells accumulate lower concentrations of peroxides than wild-type cells, implying greater resistance to oxidative stress. Finally, differentiation toward hematopoietic lineages is more efficient as a result of the continued expression of Tert. Microarray analysis revealed that overexpression of Tert altered expression of a variety of genes required for extended self-renewal and lifespan. Our results suggest that telomerase functions as a “survival enzyme” in ESCs and its differentiated progeny by protecting the telomere cap and by influencing the expression patterns of stress response and defense genes. This results in improved proliferation of ESCs and more efficient differentiation, and these results might have profound consequences for stem cell–replacement therapies.

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Crossref · 10.1634/stemcells.2004-0269

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  • Overexpression experiments in transgenic mice and human cells have shown TERT has activities in cellular transformation, proliferation, stem cell biology, cell survival and chromatin regulation.

    “Overexpression experiments in transgenic mice and in human cells have shown that TERT exhibits activities in cellular transformation (136-138), proliferation (139), stem cell biology (140-142), cell survival (143,144) and chromatin regulation (145).”

    From Telomeres and telomerase in cancer (2010) · cites this paper as [138]

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Authors
Armstrong, L., Saretzki, G., Peters, H., Wappler, I., Evans, J., Hole, N., von Zglinicki, T., & Lako, M.
Affiliations
  • Durham University (GB)
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • Institute for Ageing and Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4BE, United Kingdom
Corresponding author
Lako, M.
Venue
Stem Cells
Published
2005-04-01
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
516-529
ISSN
  • 1066-5099 (ISSN-L)
  • 1549-4918
OpenAlex
W1991827974
Cited by
153
References
76
Citations by year
2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 8
FWCI
7.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Stem Cells (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
Keywords
telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase, embryonic stem cells, self-renewal, hematopoietic differentiation, oxidative stress resistance, apoptosis resistance, telomere length, telomeric overhangs, stem cell proliferation, pluripotency, stress response genes
MeSH terms
Animals, Cell Differentiation, Embryo, Mammalian, Hematopoiesis, Stem Cells, Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, Cell Lineage, Telomerase, Cell Proliferation, Mice

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