telomeraasientsyymillä

Telomeraasientsyymi is the Estonian term for the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that adds repetitive DNA sequences to the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. These repetitive sequences are called telomeres. Telomeres act as protective caps for the chromosomes, preventing them from being damaged or fused with other chromosomes.

During DNA replication, a portion of the chromosome's end, known as the telomere, is lost with each cell division. This progressive shortening of telomeres is thought to be a major factor in cellular aging and the eventual onset of senescence, a state where cells stop dividing. Telomerase plays a crucial role in counteracting this shortening. It is active in germ cells, stem cells, and some cancer cells, where it helps maintain telomere length and allows these cells to divide more times than somatic cells.

The activity of telomerase is tightly regulated. In most normal somatic cells, telomerase activity is very low or absent, contributing to the limited lifespan of these cells. However, in many types of cancer cells, telomerase is reactivated, allowing them to achieve immortality by continuously replicating their telomeres. This makes telomerase a significant target for cancer research and therapeutic development, with efforts focused on inhibiting its activity to stop tumor growth. Conversely, research into activating telomerase is also ongoing, exploring its potential for regenerative medicine and treating age-related degenerative diseases.