Telomere Dynamics in Zebrafish Aging and Disease

Fish telomere lengths vary significantly across the numerous species, implicating diverse life strategies and environmental adaptations. Zebrafish have telomere dynamics that are comparable to humans and are emerging as a key model in which to unravel the systemic effects of telomere shortening on aging and interorgan communication. Here, we discuss zebrafish telomere biology, focusing on the organismal impact of telomere attrition beyond cellular senescence, with particular emphasis on how telomeric shortening in specific tissues can unleash widespread organ dysfunction and disease. This highlights a novel aspect of tissue communication, whereby telomere shortening in one organ can propagate through biological networks, influencing the aging process systemically. These discoveries position zebrafish as a valuable model for studying the complex interactions between telomeres, aging, and tissue cross talk, providing important insights with direct relevance to human health and longevity.