Systematic Characterization of the Molecular Mechanisms That Regulate and Mediate Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres in Breast Carcinoma (original) (raw)

Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a mechanism utilized by several cancer types to maintain telomeres. The aim of this project is to characterize the mechanisms that mediate and regulate ALT activity in breast cancer, by utilizing proteomic and genomic approaches to describe and perturb ALT+ cells. Gaining this knowledge on ALT activity can promote the development of novel treatment for ALT+ breast tumors, and patients with telomerase inhibitor resistant tumors, while having minimal non-desired effects on the normal cell population that typically has no ALT activity. Here, I report on my progress in calibrating the C-circle assay, which is used to detect ALT activity, to enable rapid and sensitive quantification of the signal. In addition, I report on my findings regarding the involvement of ATRX and DAXX in induction of ALT, which was also included in a recent publication (Lovejoy CA, 2012 PLoS genetics).