Telomeres and their role in the ageing process
Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes, stabilize them during cell division and thus influence the ageing process.
Telomeres play an important role in ageing, especially at the cellular level. Telomeres are the protective ends of chromosomes, which consist of repeating DNA sequences. With each cell division, the telomeres become shorter, as a small part is not replicated during the copying process. This process is known as the “finite shortening of telomeres”.
The problem arises when telomeres are shortened to a critical length. In this state, the cell can no longer divide normally and enters a state known as cellular senescence. Senescence is an irreversible state in which the cell no longer actively participates in the cell cycle and no longer performs normal cellular functions. Ageing is strongly associated with this process, as the cells become increasingly senescent over time.
Mechanisms associated with telomeres and ageing:
Cellular senescence:
If the telomeres become too short, the cell stops dividing normally. As a result, the tissue to which this cell belongs loses its ability to regenerate itself. This loss of regenerative capacity contributes to the ageing process.
Genome instability:
The shortening of telomeres can lead to genomic instability, as the chromosome ends are no longer sufficiently protected. This can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and other cellular problems.
Triggering of cell death (apoptosis):
In some cases, the critical shortening of telomeres can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis), which contributes to a loss of cells and tissue function.
It is important to emphasize that telomere shortening is only one of many factors in the complex process of aging. Genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle and other mechanisms also influence the ageing process. However, telomere research is an important field that can contribute to a better understanding of the basics of ageing and possibly develop therapeutic approaches to slow down the ageing process.
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Measurement of telomere length
The length of telomeres can be measured in various ways. Here are some common methods:
Quantitative PCR (qPCR):
This method uses specific primers for the telomeres and for a reference gene locus. The telomeres are then quantified in comparison to the reference sequence. The relative amounts of the two products provide information about the telomere length.