hTERT is found to be overexpressed in stem cells, germ cells and in
most of the cancer cells, whereas in normal and differentiated cells
there is minimal or undetectable level of hTERT (Poole et al., 2001). Activated
telomerase helps in maintaining telomere length that provides
replicative potential to the proliferating cells. As a proof of concept, expression
of hTERT in normal cells also expands the life span and number
of cell doublings.