Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, have found that two common gene variations that lead to lengthening telomeres significantly increase the risk of developing brain cancer.

Telomeres are the end sections of chromosomes. The telomeric portions of chromosomes are characterized by their lack of ability to attach to other chromosomes or their fragments and serve a protective function. The genes in question are TERT and TERC, which are present in 51% and 72% of the world’s population, respectively, but their variations are very rare.

There is a high barrier to the development of gliomas, and perhaps because the brain has special protection.

The TERT and TERC genes are responsible for lengthening telomeres. However, as Wrench notes, this has both positive and negative qualities. Long telomeres are not only responsible for longevity, but also lead to the development of glioma.

Glioma is a tumor that is part of a heterogeneous group and is of neuroectodermal origin. It is the most common primary brain tumor.

Although longer telomeres may be a good thing for humans, reducing some health risks and slowing down aging, they can also cause some cells to live longer than they should, and this, it is suggested, may be a sign of cancer development.

In the study, scientists analyzed the genomic base of nearly 40,000 people. They found that short telomeres were associated with cardiovascular disease.

Wrench and her colleagues examined data from 1,644 glioma patients and 7,736 healthy individuals. She found that most glioma patients had variations in TERT and TERC genes as well as enlarged telomeres.

Scientists are to continue the study and study the influence of the TERT gene in the development of lung, prostate, breast, leukemia and colorectal cancers.