Since ancient times, men have tried to fight the aging process and prevent death. This manly struggle has also reached out for scientific help. Thus, more and more scientists are trying to figure out what causes cells to die. The role of telomeres in aging is a very interesting approach to explain the reason we grow older. It may explain why we look different as the years go by and why our organs start to fail. As you will see, telomeres and aging are closely related concepts that could yield the secret behind a longer lifespan.

SIMPLE TELOMERE DEFINITION



If you look down at your shoelaces, you will see a plastic coat in the tip designed to prevent fraying. Similarly, the telomeres are placed in the endpoint of the DNA strands. The function of telomeres is to protect your DNA from damage. It is a sequence of repetitive DNA ( the sequence of nucleotides in telomeres is TTAGGG) acting as a shelter to prevent cell mutations.

The role of telomeres in aging is easy to explain. Every time the cell divides, the molecular machinery in somatic cells leaves behind a portion of the telomere. Thus, in every cell division telomeres become shorter and shorter. The function of telomeres is to protect DNA, so what would be the consequence if they become too short? That usually happens after a few years of constant cell replication.

TELOMERES AND AGING



Every dividing cell is able to detect when the telomere in their DNA has an adequate length. If so, replication starts with no problems. But as you age and your telomeres become shorter, your cells detect that and do something in response.

The whole replicating machinery of the cell stops working as the function of telomeres is lost. Your cells choose to stop dividing before risking to damage their own DNA. However, cellular division is essential to maintain the function and structure of your tissues, organs, and systems. That is how cell senescence starts.

A senescent cell will not divide, and will soon lose its normal structure and function. This progressive alteration might be the one responsible for a change in the skin and internal organs as we age.

LEARNING ABOUT STEM CELLS



However, our own body might be holding the solution to the problem. We currently know there’s a group of cells that do not change the length of their telomeres. Stem cells may replicate indefinitely without going into senescence. Thus, examining the reason may lead us to a path of long-lasting life and solving the mystery of telomeres and aging once and for all.

Stem cells express an enzyme called telomerase, which detects when the DNA telomere is incomplete. This amazing enzyme restores the normal length and function of telomeres. That’s why stem cells never stop performing their role.

Senescent cells might be the ones to blame for wrinkles, organ failure, and vision loss. So, adding telomerase mutations might be the answer to prevent such diseases. Further research about telomeres and aging may bring promising results and longevity therapies. Until then, we can still apply the classical approach for a better health: prevention and health promotion.

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