Question 1

What is the Meaning of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

Telomerase is a specialized ribonucleoprotein enzyme crucial for maintaining the integrity of chromosomal ends, known as telomeres. It functions by adding repetitive DNA sequences, specifically TTAGGG repeats in human cells, to the 3' end of existing telomeres. This action counteracts the natural shortening of telomeres that occurs with each cycle of DNA replication in dividing cells.

Question 2

What is the Context of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

This enzyme is primarily active in cell types requiring extensive proliferation without significant telomere attrition, such as embryonic stem cells, germline cells, and certain adult progenitor cells. In most differentiated somatic cells, telomerase activity is minimal or absent, leading to progressive telomere shortening and eventually triggering cellular senescence or programmed cell death, a mechanism to prevent uncontrolled growth.

Question 3

What is the Significance of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

The regulation of telomerase activity carries profound implications for human health, particularly concerning cellular aging and oncogenesis. Elevated telomerase activity is a characteristic feature in approximately 85-90% of human cancers, providing cancer cells with replicative immortality. Conversely, inadequate telomerase function contributes to the cellular aging process and the manifestation of various age-related degenerative conditions.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

Telomerase operates as a reverse transcriptase, utilizing an inherent RNA component, known as the telomerase RNA component (TERC), as a template for DNA synthesis. The catalytic protein subunit, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), binds to TERC and the telomere end, facilitating the synthesis of new telomeric DNA repeats. This process ensures the complete replication of chromosome termini, preventing the loss of essential genetic information during cellular division.

Question 5

What is the Application of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

In clinical research, telomerase inhibitors are being explored as targeted therapeutic agents in oncology to limit the unrestrained proliferation of malignant cells by inducing telomere shortening and subsequent cellular crisis. Furthermore, strategies aimed at modulating or activating telomerase are under investigation for their potential to ameliorate age-related cellular dysfunction and support tissue repair, though these approaches remain largely experimental.

Question 6

What is the Metric of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

The activity of telomerase can be quantified using specialized molecular assays, such as the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay, which assesses the enzyme's capacity to extend telomeric DNA. Telomere length itself can be measured through techniques like quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or Southern blot, providing indirect indicators of past telomerase function and cellular replicative history.

Question 7

What is the Risk of Telomerase?

Accepted Answer

Intervening with telomerase activity presents distinct clinical considerations; for example, unintended activation could potentially foster tumorigenesis by allowing cells to bypass natural senescence checkpoints. Conversely, excessive inhibition might accelerate cellular aging and impair tissue regenerative capacity, underscoring the critical need for precise control in any therapeutic intervention involving this enzyme.

Telomerase

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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