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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Apr 25.
Published in final edited form as: J Mol Genet Med. 2013 Dec 9;7(4):91. doi: 10.4172/1747-0862.1000091

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Mechanisms of Telomere Instability (A) Molecular targets that directly affect telomere integrity. G4-ligands can bind to telomere DNA and induce formation of or stabilize the G-quadruplex structure, which can block telomere DNA synthesis as well as inhibit telomerase extension of telomeres. Telomerase inhibitors that target either the hTR or hTERT subunit directly inhibit telomere extension, therefore disrupting telomere maintenance. The CST complex regulates C-strand synthesis, defect in which may de-regulate telomerase activity or induce rapid telomere loss when telomerase is inhibited. (B) Shelterins protect telomere ends, and drugs that target shelterins may disrupt telomere protection. (C) T-oligos can induce senescence, apoptosis, and autophagy in vitro through a to-be-defined mechanism.