Anti Aging Truths
Telomerase activity and rebuilding of telomere length in cloned cattle – (02-02-01)
Telomerase activity and rebuilding of telomere length in cloned cattle
Telomeres are little pieces at the end of chromosomes that act as protectors that get shorter each time a cell divides. Some consider them as markers of aging and are searching for ways to elongate the telomeres of chromosomes and extend longevity. Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains the length of the telomeres (increased activity is seen in cancer cells that have an unlimited ability to divide; inhibiting telomerase is actually a hot topic in cancer research these days). This study examines the activity of telomerase in cloned cattle. It appears that during some point in development, not the actual cloning process itself, the new cells actually regain their youthful length of telomeres. A little complicated, but this research may begin to pinpoint a timeframe in which telomerase activity is highest; leading to ways to control it.
PNAS — Abstracts: Betts et al. 98 (3): 1077
