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Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Telomere and telomerase in stem cells.

E Hiyama¹, K Hiyama

¹Division of Life Science Research, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. eiso@Hiroshima-u.ac.jp

British Journal of Cancer

|March 14, 2007

Summary

Telomeres shorten with cell division, leading to senescence. Telomerase maintains telomere length in stem cells, but its regulation is complex and crucial for stem cell function and capacity.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Telomeres are DNA repeats at chromosome ends, crucial for stability.
Cellular replication leads to telomere shortening, triggering senescence in somatic cells.
Telomerase, an enzyme, elongates telomeres but is often inactive in adult stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of telomeres and telomerase in human stem cell function.
To explore the dynamic regulation of telomere length and telomerase activity.
To highlight the importance of telomere maintenance in stem cells, referencing dyskeratosis congenital.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on telomeres, telomerase, and human stem cells.
Analysis of the interplay between telomere length, telomerase activity, and cell cycle regulation.

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Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

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Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Published on: September 2, 2014

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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay

Published on: September 2, 2014

Examination of telomere dynamics in various stem cell types, including embryonic, somatic, and cancer stem cells.

Main Results:

Telomere shortening occurs in most stem cells, except embryonic and cancer stem cells.
Dyskeratosis congenital highlights the critical role of telomerase components in human stem cells.
Telomere length regulation is intricately linked with cell cycle control in stem cells.

Conclusions:

Telomere maintenance is vital for the function and long-term capacity of human stem cells.
Dysregulation of telomere length can lead to premature aging and disease.
Further research into telomere and telomerase regulation may offer therapeutic insights for stem cell-related disorders.