Studies of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in telomere associated genes: their clinical importance in lymphoid malignancies

• Grant number: 12/50947-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Agreement: CONICET
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Passetto Falcão
• Grantee: Roberto Passetto Falcão
• Principal researcher abroad: Irma Slavutski
• Institution abroad: Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57877-3 - National Institute of Science and Technology in Cell Therapy, AP.TEM

Abstract

Telomeres are ribonucleopreoteins at the linear chromosome ends and they serve as a protection against degradation and fusions, thus preserving the genomic information. When telomeres become critically short, due to either cell division or telomerase complex deficiency, telomeres are dysfunctional and induce cell senescence and apoptosis, but also lead to genomic instability. Telomere shortening and dysfunction and telomerase activity are associated with the biological behavior of several malignancies, including lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of this collaborative effort is to together Dr Slavutsky's group experience (in Argentina) on telomere biology in multiple myeloma with ours on telomerase mutation in marrow failure in hematopoietic neoplasia as well as our experience in lymphoproliferative disorders, to measure telomere length, quantify telomere-protection gene expression, assess telomerase gene methylation status, and screen for telomerase mutations in patients with multiple myeloma, monodonal gamopathy of uncertain significance, and mantle cell lymphoma in order to correlate these biological parameters with illnesses clinical behavior. (AU)