What is telomerase?

Telomerase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in maintaining the length of telomeres, which are repetitive nucleotide sequences located at the ends of chromosomes. As cells divide, the telomeres naturally shorten, which can lead to cellular aging and limit the number of times a cell can divide. Telomerase counters this shortening by adding specific DNA sequences to the telomeres, effectively extending them and allowing the cell to continue dividing without detrimental effects on genetic stability. This function is especially important in stem cells and cancer cells, where telomerase activity is often elevated, enabling those cells to proliferate indefinitely. By adding bases to the telomeres, telomerase helps preserve chromosome integrity, thereby contributing to cellular longevity and function.