0 a structure at the end of a chromosome that protects it
The pathways through which mammalian cells maintain telomere stability are beginning to come into focus.
This view has greater credibility now that biological age can be measured 'scientifically' by, for example, telomere length.
The choice of telomere maintenance mechanism may be influenced through epigenetic mechanisms and changes in histone modifications, possibly during tumourigenesis.
Early growth determines longevity in male rats and may be related to telomere shortening in the kidney.
Therefore, the role of telomere shortening in mice is likely not to have the same relevance as in humans.
However, further studies are needed to develop, or disprove, a link between telomeres, cell replication and longevity.
First, cells can maintain their telomeres through telomerase activation (horizontal on-ramp).
If you are searching for papers on the role of mitochondria, telomeres or epigenetics in cloning the papers are cited here in separate lists.
