Schematic model of telomerase reactivation in non-HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. CTCF binds to the TFAP4 promoter and increases TFAP4 expression. TFAP4 then binds directly to the TERT promoter, enhancing TERT mRNA transcription. Increased TERT expression leads to elevated telomerase activity and stabilization of telomeres. Ethanol exposure further upregulates TFAP4 and TERT in non-HBV HCC cells, while this regulatory pathway appears limited in HBV-associated HCC.
📘 CHP Archive Spotlight #08
Original Research (2024) | Lim et al.
TFAP4 directly reactivates TERT in non-HBV HCC — independent of promoter mutation.
CTCF → TFAP4 → TERT axis drives telomerase activation, especially in alcohol-related tumors.
🔗 doi.org/10.47248/chp...
#HCC #TERT #Telomerase
