TERT

Highest pathogenic variant AF is 0.00007145601

Gene type

protein_coding

Transcript type

protein_coding

Transcript

ENST00000310581

Coding exons

16

Length

41923

Individuals with no LoFs

125724

Homozygous LoFs

0

Heterozygous LoFs

23

Defined

125747

p

0.0000915

Function

FUNCTION: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme essential for the replication of chromosome termini in most eukaryotes. Active in progenitor and cancer cells. Inactive, or very low activity, in normal somatic cells. Catalytic component of the teleromerase holoenzyme complex whose main activity is the elongation of telomeres by acting as a reverse transcriptase that adds simple sequence repeats to chromosome ends by copying a template sequence within the RNA component of the enzyme. Catalyzes the RNA- dependent extension of 3'-chromosomal termini with the 6- nucleotide telomeric repeat unit, 5'-TTAGGG-3'. The catalytic cycle involves primer binding, primer extension and release of product once the template boundary has been reached or nascent product translocation followed by further extension. More active on substrates containing 2 or 3 telomeric repeats. Telomerase activity is regulated by a number of factors including telomerase complex-associated proteins, chaperones and polypeptide modifiers. Modulates Wnt signaling. Plays important roles in aging and antiapoptosis. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:14963003, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15082768, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15857955, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17026956, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17264120, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17296728, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17548608, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19188162, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19567472, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19571879, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19777057, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9389643}.;

Disease

DISEASE: Note=Activation of telomerase has been implicated in cell immortalization and cancer cell pathogenesis.; DISEASE: Aplastic anemia (AA) [MIM:609135]: A form of anemia in which the bone marrow fails to produce adequate numbers of peripheral blood elements. It is characterized by peripheral pancytopenia and marrow hypoplasia. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15885610, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16627250, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16990594, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19760749}. Note=Disease susceptibility is associated with variations affecting the gene represented in this entry.; DISEASE: Note=Genetic variations in TERT are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).; DISEASE: Dyskeratosis congenita, autosomal dominant, 2 (DKCA2) [MIM:613989]: A rare multisystem disorder caused by defective telomere maintenance. It is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, and the clinical triad of reticulated skin hyperpigmentation, nail dystrophy, and mucosal leukoplakia. Common but variable features include premature graying, aplastic anemia, low platelets, osteoporosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and liver fibrosis among others. Early mortality is often associated with bone marrow failure, infections, fatal pulmonary complications, or malignancy. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15885610, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16247010, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21602826}. Note=The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry.; DISEASE: Pulmonary fibrosis, and/or bone marrow failure, telomere- related, 1 (PFBMFT1) [MIM:614742]: A disease associated with shortened telomeres. Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common manifestation. Other manifestations include aplastic anemia due to bone marrow failure, hepatic fibrosis, and increased cancer risk, particularly myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. Phenotype, age at onset, and severity are determined by telomere length. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15814878, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17460043, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21436073, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21483807, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22512499}. Note=The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry.; DISEASE: Dyskeratosis congenita, autosomal recessive, 4 (DKCB4) [MIM:613989]: A severe form of dyskeratosis congenita, a rare multisystem disorder caused by defective telomere maintenance. It is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, and the clinical triad of reticulated skin hyperpigmentation, nail dystrophy, and mucosal leukoplakia. Common but variable features include premature graying, aplastic anemia, low platelets, osteoporosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and liver fibrosis among others. Early mortality is often associated with bone marrow failure, infections, fatal pulmonary complications, or malignancy. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:16332973, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17785587, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18042801, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21602826}. Note=The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry.; DISEASE: Pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic (IPF) [MIM:178500]: A lung disease characterized by shortness of breath, radiographically evident diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, and varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis on biopsy. In some cases, the disorder can be rapidly progressive and characterized by sequential acute lung injury with subsequent scarring and end-stage lung disease. Note=Disease susceptibility is associated with variations affecting the gene represented in this entry.; DISEASE: Melanoma, cutaneous malignant 9 (CMM9) [MIM:615134]: A malignant neoplasm of melanocytes, arising de novo or from a pre- existing benign nevus, which occurs most often in the skin but also may involve other sites. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:23348503}. Note=Disease susceptibility is associated with variations affecting the gene represented in this entry.;