TY - JOUR T1 - <em>TERT</em> gene: its function and dysregulation in cancer JF - Journal of Clinical Pathology JO - J Clin Pathol DO - 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205653 SP - jclinpath-2018-205653 AU - Andrew J Colebatch AU - Alexander Dobrovic AU - Wendy A Cooper Y1 - 2019/01/28 UR - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/early/2019/01/28/jclinpath-2018-205653.abstract N2 - In this review, we summarise the function and structure of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in humans, including its regulation. The dysregulation of telomerase through TERT promoter mutations across a range of cancers is discussed. The molecular mechanism activated by TERT promoter mutations is outlined. Finally, the timing of TERT promoter mutations during carcinogenesis is reviewed in the context of their potential utility as clinical biomarkers of malignant transformation. ER -