Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT promoter)

The Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter is a critical DNA regulatory element that controls the expression of the TERT gene, the rate-limiting component of the telomerase enzyme complex. In normal somatic cells, the TERT promoter is epigenetically silenced, leading to progressive telomere shortening and eventual replicative senescence [1]. However, in approximately 90% of human cancers, the promoter is reactivated, enabling cells to maintain telomere length and achieve replicative immortality [2]. This reactivation is frequently driven by highly recurrent somatic point mutations (most notably C228T and C250T) that create de novo binding sites for ETS transcription factors [3]. Because the TERT promoter contains GC-rich sequences capable of forming G-quadruplex (G4) structures, it has become a significant therapeutic target [4]. Small molecules designed to stabilize these G4 structures can physically obstruct the transcriptional machinery, thereby suppressing telomerase activity and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells [5].

Other names

hTERT promoterTelomerase promoterTERTpTERT core promoter

Stabilization of G-quadruplex structures within the promoter region to physically block transcription factor binding and inhibit TERT gene transcription.