Relationship between telomeric dynamics, telomerase expression and activity, and TRF-2 expression with senescence, in a tissue with high susceptibility to tumour transformation.

Telomere dynamics and the regulation of telomerase are fundamental mechanisms involved in maintaining genomic stability and controlling cellular senescence. In tissues with a high susceptibility to tumor transformation, progressive telomere shortening may induce senescence or chromosomal instability, whereas telomerase reactivation may promote cellular immortalization and tumor progression. In this context, TRF-2 (Telomeric Repeat-binding Factor 2) plays an essential role in telomere protection and stability as a component of the shelterin complex and contributes to preventing inappropriate cellular responses to DNA damage. An integrated analysis of telomere length, telomerase expression and activity, and TRF-2 expression may help establish their relationship with the acquisition of the senescent phenotype and the early processes involved in cellular transformation. Investigating these parameters in tissues with a high predisposition to tumor development may contribute to understanding the mechanisms that regulate the balance between cellular senescence, genomic stability, and cellular immortalization.