title: Telomerase and the aging process.
abstract: The level of telomerase activity is important in determining telomere length in aging cells and tissues. Here evidence on the importance of telomerase activity is reviewed with respect to aging rates of mammalian species and the health and life span of individuals within a species. The significance of telomerase reactivation for both cancer development and for immortalizing cells for therapeutic processes is assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78245, USA. hornsby@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hornsby
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase