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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
Chromosome end maintenance by telomerase
Jennifer L Osterhage1, Katherine L Friedman2
1From the Department of Biology, Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana 47243.
Abstract:
Telomeres, protein-DNA complexes at the ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes, are essential for genome stability. The accumulation of chromosomal abnormalities in the absence of proper telomere function is implicated in human aging and cancer. Repetitive telomeric sequences are maintained by telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex containing a reverse transcriptase subunit, a template RNA, and accessory components. Telomere elongation is regulated at multiple levels, including assembly of the telomerase holoenzyme, recruitment of telomerase to the chromosome terminus, and telomere accessibility. This minireview provides an overview of telomerase structure, function, and regulation and the role of telomerase in human disease.
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