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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

Genetic regulation of telomerase in a multiple pathways model to cellular senescence

M Oshimura1, M Shimizu, H Kugoh

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University.

Human Cell
|December 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Immortal cells trigger senescence in normal cells, suggesting lost genes. Telomerase regulation is one of multiple pathways identified in cellular senescence research.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cellular senescence is a process where normal cells lose their ability to divide.
  • Immortal cells, unlike normal cells, evade senescence due to genetic alterations.
  • Senescence involves complex genetic pathways and gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of specific genes in the senescence program.
  • To determine if telomerase regulation is a key pathway in cellular senescence.
  • To analyze the relationship between senescence, telomerase activity, and telomere length.

Main Methods:

  • Microcell fusion was used to introduce normal human chromosomes into immortal cells.
  • Telomerase activity was measured in microcell hybrids.
  • Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) length was analyzed to assess telomere length.

Main Results:

  • Hybrids between immortal and normal cells exhibited senescence.
  • Introduction of chromosomes led to senescence, with or without loss of telomerase activity.
  • Telomere shortening was observed in some hybrids, correlating with senescence.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple genetic loci and pathways are involved in cellular senescence.
  • Telomerase regulation represents one of several mechanisms controlling cellular senescence.
  • Gene inactivation or mutation in immortal cells disrupts the senescence program.

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