Telomerase

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein composed of an internal telomerase RNA template (TERC) and the enzyme, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Telomerase adds small repeat sequences of DNA (TTAGGG) to the end of chromosomes - multiple repeats of this hexanucleotide sequence over a 5kb span are known as a telomere.

During normal cellular replication, telomeres are eroded and thus protect the coding sequences of the DNA. The erosion of telomeric sequences is thought to form the basis of the cellular clock which eventually signals for the cell to exit the cell cycle and undergo senescence. Expression of telomerase is low in most normal cells although it is thought to be active in embryonic cells and some rapidly dividing cells of the immune system. Overexpression of telomerase is key component of the transformation process in many malignant cancer cells.

External sources of pharmacological information for Telomerase :

• BJP Guide

Telomerase Gene Data