The biological process that ensures the preservation of telomeres, the protective caps of repetitive DNA sequences and associated proteins found at the ends of linear chromosomes. Effective telomere maintenance prevents the progressive shortening of these caps with each cell division, a key driver of cellular senescence and biological aging. This process is primarily mediated by the enzyme telomerase, which adds new repetitive sequences to the telomere ends. Strategies to optimize telomere maintenance are central to longevity science and the pursuit of extended healthspan.
Origin
The term combines “telomere,” derived from the Greek telos (end) and meros (part), and “maintenance,” from the Latin manutentio (holding in the hand). It became a critical concept in cellular biology and aging research following the discovery of telomerase and the link between telomere shortening and cellular lifespan. This molecular process is considered a hallmark of aging.
Mechanism
The central mechanism is the action of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that contains an RNA template and a reverse transcriptase component. Telomerase binds to the shortened telomere and uses its internal RNA template to synthesize and extend the DNA sequence, counteracting the “end-replication problem” inherent in DNA polymerase activity. Hormonal factors, chronic stress, and oxidative load can influence telomerase activity, thereby modulating the rate of telomere attrition and cellular aging.
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