title: Telomeres: unlocking the mystery of cell division and aging.
abstract: Telomeres are DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from fraying and fusing together during replication. During replication, telomeres lose some of their genetic material but are repaired by the ribonucleoprotein telomerase. Both telomeres and telomerase are linked to cell senescence and apoptosis, and research suggests they play key roles in aging, cancer, hereditary syndromes, and chronic diseases. Several theories of aging are reviewed along with the potential impact of telomerase in developing new treatments.
authors.affiliation: psychologist and health systems consultant, Alexandria, Virginia.
authors.forename: Guido R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Zanni
authors.forename: Jeannette Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004261:DNA Replication; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase