Telomerase

Telomerase is an enzyme primarily responsible for maintaining the length of telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Comprising a protein component (TERT) and an RNA template (TERC), telomerase adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to telomeres, which prevents chromosome degradation during cell division. This activity is crucial for cellular aging, as telomere shortening leads to cell senescence and death. While most somatic cells exhibit low telomerase activity, it is notably active in stem cells, germ cells, and cancer cells. The enzyme's unique role in promoting cellular immortality makes it a significant target for anti-aging therapies and cancer treatments, where inhibiting telomerase could limit the proliferative capacity of cancerous cells.