Stem cell function and maintenance - ends that matter: role of telomeres and telomerase.
Stem cell research holds a promise to treat and prevent age-related degenerative changes in humans. Literature is replete with studies showing that stem cell function declines with aging, especially in highly proliferative tissues/ organs. Among others, telomerase and telomere damage is one of the intrinsic physical instigators that drive agerelated degenerative changes. In this review we provide brief overview of telomerase-deficient aging affects in diverse stem cells populations. Furthermore, potential disease phenotypes associated with telomerase dysregulation in a specific stem cell population is also discussed in this review. Additionally, the role of telomerase in stem cell driven cancer is also briefly touched upon.
Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. dkstemham@yahoo.com
Hamid
H
Saeed
Mehwish
M
Iqtedar
D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*
D019098:Telomerase