Melanoma Telomere Trick: Dual Mutations Drive Immortality
Researchers uncovered a two-part genetic strategy used by melanoma cells to bypass cellular aging: mutations that boost telomerase production via TERT and concurrent promoter mutations in ACD that recruit telomerase to telomeres through the shelterin component TPP1, lengthening chromosome caps and enabling extended cell division. This explains the unusually long telomeres seen in melanoma and points to a potential new therapeutic target.