| abstract |
The present invention relates to the length of telomeres and to their effect on proliferation and senescence in cells. More specifically, it concerns the ability of hnRNP A1 and its shortened derivative UP1 to alter the length of telomeres in cells. More precisely, the invention relates to the ability of A1/UP1 to bind telomerase RNA, to bind and to protect mammalian telomeric DNA, and to modulate telomere extension and replication. Finally, the present invention relates to agents which can interfere with the binding of A1/UP1 to telomeres and telomerase, and to the use of protection, extension and replication assays to measure the biological impact of these agents. |