Direction: Normal primary hepatocytes can be artificially immortalized. Certain spontaneous mutants of immortalized hepatocytes are sensitive to ionizing radiation.
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Which of the following genes are involved in Immortalization of primary hepatocytes?
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- Telomerase and Cyclin D
- NFκB and Thymidine kinase
- Cyclin D and myc
- Telomerase and Ras
Correct Option: D
Telomerase contains a catalytic unit with reverse transcriptase activity and an RNA part that provides template for telomere extension. Telomerase is normally expressed only in stem cells such as those found in hematopoietic tissues and germline cells but is nearly absent in most somatic cells. Induction of telomerase synthesis bypasses normal cellular senesce in cancer cells and endows them with unlimited replicative potential.
