Telomerase activity coevolves with body mass not lifespan

Abstract excerpt

In multicellular organisms, telomerase is required to maintain telomere length in the germline but is dispensable in the soma. Mice, for example, express telomerase in somatic and germline tissues, while humans express telomerase almost exclusively in the germline. As a result, when telomeres of human somatic cells reach a critical length the cells enter irreversible growth arrest called replicative senescence....

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
• Share to Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence