Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
47.3K
Klotho Deficiency Accelerates Stem Cells Aging by Impairing Telomerase Activity.
Mujib Ullah1,2, Zhongjie Sun1,3
1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Biomedical Research Center, Oklahoma City.
Summary
Klotho deficiency accelerates stem cell aging by impairing telomerase activity and telomere length. Cycloastragenol partially restored telomerase, indicating Klotho
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Mechanisms of Aging
Background:
- Aging involves stem cell functional decline.
- Klotho (KL) is an antiaging protein linked to extended lifespan.
- The role of KL deficiency in stem cell aging requires elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Klotho deficiency accelerates stem cell aging and telomere shortening.
- To identify mechanisms linking KL deficiency to stem cell dysfunction.
- To assess cycloastragenol's efficacy in restoring telomerase activity in aged stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Klotho knockdown using siRNA.
- Assessment of telomerase activity, differentiation potential, pluripotency, senescence, and apoptosis.
- Analysis of gene expression (TERF1, TERT, POT1, TGFβ1, CD90, bFGF).
- Evaluation of cycloastragenol treatment effects.
Main Results:
- Klotho deficiency diminished telomerase activity and altered TERF1 and TERT expression.
- KL deficiency impaired stem cell differentiation, pluripotency, and induced senescence and apoptosis.
- Telomerase activity decreased with KL knockdown.
- Cycloastragenol partially rescued telomerase deterioration.
Conclusions:
- Klotho deficiency accelerates stem cell aging via reduced telomerase activity and telomere shortening.
- KL and telomeres regulate stem cell aging through TERF1, POT1, and TERT, influenced by TGFβ, Insulin, and Wnt signaling.
- KL plays a critical role in life extension by regulating telomere length and telomerase activity.
Related Concept Videos
02:41Telomeres and Telomerase
27.3K
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...
27.3K
02:41Telomeres and Telomerase
7.3K
7.3K
01:33Adult Stem Cells
33.9K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
33.9K
01:17Accelerators
288
Accelerators in concrete serve as admixtures to speed up the hardening process, enabling the concrete to achieve early strength faster. Although accelerators do not necessarily impact the time it takes concrete to set, they reduce this time in practice. A common accelerator is calcium chloride, which is particularly useful for hastening early strength development in cold weather or for rapid repair jobs that require quick heat generation after mixing.
The effectiveness of calcium chloride can...
The effectiveness of calcium chloride can...
288
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.5K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.5K
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
28.1K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.1K