Carolyn Widney Greider, a molecular biologist from the University of California, Berkeley, made a revolutionary discovery in 1984 when she made the discovery of the enzymetelomerase and how it protects telomeres from progressively shortening. Her groundbreaking work has since enabled researchers to make further advances in understanding the aging process and potential treatments for age-related diseases. Greider‘s discovery has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Nobel Prize in 2009.
What Is Telomere And its Function?
Telomeres, also known as the “biological clock,” are the reason why humans age. In order to understand how Telomeres work, we must go back a step further and understand how the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) structure works.
All these bio-molecules are organized in a cell and interact with each other in a complex way to allow the cell to perform its function, which includes dividing, growing, repairing, and responding to the environment, among others. The study of the structure and functions of cells is called cell biol.
DNA is a double-stranded helix that contains our genome and genetic information, meaning it makes us who we are. The double-stranded helix is called chromosomes. In order to complete the DNA structure, each double-stranded helix contains nucleotides that base pair with the complimentary nucleotides on the other strand, which make up the final chromosomes. DNA is constantly replicating, and at the end of each replication cycle are telomeres, sections of the DNA that repeat the sequence.
With each replication of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), the telomeres shorten, therefore causing humans to age. Because mammalian/human cells are replicated so often, they eventually get too short of replicating any further and dying.
Telomere length testing is provided in our Beverly Hills clinic in conjunction with many other diagnostic assays to assess your overall health and possible lifespan and assist in making lifestyle changes that can decrease the accelerated shortening.
Telomeres are the repeating DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as cells divide. Shorter telomeres have been associated with aging and a higher risk of certain diseases. However, longer telomeres do not necessarily mean a longer life. Telomere length is only one factor that contributes to aging and disease risk, and other factors, such as lifestyle and genetics, also play a role. Some studies have suggested that maintaining longer telomeres through certain lifestyle changes or interventions may help promote healthier aging, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
What Is The Role of Telomeres In Aging?
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. They function to protect the chromosomes from damage and degradation. Each time a cell divides, its telomeres shorten. Eventually, the telomeres become so short that the cell is no longer able to divide, and this is thought to be one of the causes of aging. Additionally, as we age, the activity of an enzyme called telomerase, which helps to maintain the length of telomeres, decreases, further leading to the shortening of telomeres. It’s also important to note that telomeres are not the only factor in aging; it is a complex and multifactorial process with many other underlying causes.
How Can I Regrow My Telomeres?
There is currently no known way to directly “regrow” telomeres. Telomeres shorten as cells divide, and there is no way to change that; however, some studies have suggested that certain lifestyle changes and interventions may help promote healthier aging by slowing the rate at which telomeres shorten or by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which can speed up telomere shortening.
The following are some examples of lifestyle changes that may help to promote healthier aging and slower telomere shortening:
Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as cardio and weight-bearing exercises.
Reducing stress through practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Getting adequate sleep.
Not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
Managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, through medication and lifestyle changes
It’s important to note that the scientific research on telomere shortening and lifestyle modification is still ongoing, and not all studies have shown a positive correlation; much more studies are needed to determine definitive causality. So, It’s also important to talk with a doctor before starting any new health or supplement regimen.
Does Accelerated Telomere Shortening Increase The Pace Of Aging?
There is evidence to suggest that accelerated telomere shortening may be associated with an increased pace of aging. Telomeres are the repeating DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect genetic information and shorten as cells divide.
Research has found that telomeres shorten as we age and that shorter telomeres are associated with a greater risk of age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
Some studies have also suggested that certain lifestyle factors, such as chronic stress, smoking, and obesity, may accelerate telomere shortening, which could, in turn, contribute to a faster pace of aging. While chronic inflammation and oxidative stress have been shown to have an effect on telomere shortening, further studies are needed to confirm the role they play in aging.
It is important to note that while telomeres shorten with age, there are many other factors contributing to aging. Telomere shortening is only one aspect of the complex biology of aging, and scientists are still working to fully understand the relationship between telomeres, aging, and disease.
However, studies on telomeres and aging are still ongoing, and it is not fully understood yet the relationship between telomeres and aging. Studies with animals, cells, and observational studies suggest an association but more research in humans is needed to determine causality, as it’s important to note that correlation doesn’t imply causation.
Are Telomeres The Key To Aging and Cancer?
Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as cells divide, and their shortening has been associated with aging and increased risk of certain diseases, including cancer. However, telomeres are only one aspect of the biological processes involved in aging and cancer, and other factors, such as genetics and lifestyle, also play a role.
It is thought that as telomeres shorten over time, cells can no longer divide and function properly, leading to the aging of tissues. Short telomeres also have been found in many types of cancer cells, which use a mechanism called telomerase to maintain or even lengthen their telomeres, allowing them to continue to divide uncontrollably.
In healthy cells, telomere shortening serves as a protective mechanism that helps to prevent the uncontrolled cell division that is characteristic of cancer. But in some cases, cancer cells can activate telomerase, an enzyme that can add more DNA to telomeres, thus allowing cells to continue dividing indefinitely, leading to cancer formation.
That being said, telomeres are not the only key to aging and cancer but rather one component of the complex set of factors that contribute to these processes. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between telomeres, aging, and cancer and to develop potential therapies that target telomeres and telomerase.
Human Telomeres and Human Cancer
The relationship between human telomeres and human cancer is a complex and active area of research. Studies have found that many types of cancer cells have shorter telomeres than normal cells and cancer cells also have higher levels of telomerase, an enzyme that can add more DNA to telomeres and thus allow cells to continue dividing indefinitely. Short telomeres have been found in many types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, lung, prostate, head and neck, and others.
In normal cells, the telomeres protect the chromosomes from deterioration, and their shortening serves as a protective mechanism that helps to prevent the uncontrolled cell division that is characteristic of cancer. However, in cancer cells, telomerase activation or ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres) mechanisms allow the telomeres to be maintained or even lengthened, bypassing the telomere-dependent cell cycle checkpoint and facilitating an unlimited cell division, leading to cancer formation.
That being said, telomeres are just one aspect of the complex biology of cancer, and other genetic and lifestyle factors also play a role. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between telomeres, telomerase, and human cancer and to develop potential therapies that target telomeres and telomerase as a means to treat cancer.
Telomere and Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, and research has suggested that telomeres may play a role in its development. Some studies have found that prostate cancer cells have shorter telomeres than normal prostate cells and that prostate cancer cells also have higher levels of telomerase, an enzyme that can add more DNA to telomeres and thus allow cells to continue dividing indefinitely.
Additionally, some studies have found that men with prostate cancer have shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), and this has been associated with prostate cancer risk and progression. Also genetic variations in telomere-related genes have also been identified as risk factors for prostate cancer.
It is important to note that prostate cancer is a complex disease, and telomeres are just one aspect of its development. Other genetic and lifestyle factors also play a role. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between telomeres and prostate cancer fully and to develop potential therapies that target telomeres and telomerase.
Telomere Sequence
Telomeres are the repeating DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect genetic information. The sequence of a telomere repeat is typically a hexamer (a sequence of six nucleotides) that is repeated many times, and in humans, the specific sequence of the hexamer repeat is “TTAGGG.” This sequence is repeated thousands of times in each telomere, and it’s a conserved sequence found in all eukaryotes, and it is also known as the “telomeric repeat.”
It’s important to note that this sequence serves as a protective cap on the end of chromosomes; it helps to prevent the erosion of genetic information during cell replication and maintain chromosomal stability. Without telomeres, chromosomes would lose genetic information with each cell division, and eventually, the cell would die.
The length of telomeres, determined by the number of TTAGGG repeats, can vary between individuals and is influenced by various factors, including aging, genetics, and lifestyle. As telomeres shorten, cells can no longer divide and function properly, which may contribute to aging and certain diseases, including cancer.
Telomerase RNA
In addition to DNA, telomeres also contain small amounts of RNA. The majority of telomeric RNA is a short non-coding RNA called telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). TERRA is transcribed from telomeric DNA, and it’s composed of multiple copies of the telomeric repeat sequence, similar to the one found in telomeric DNA.
TERRA interacts with proteins that form the telomeric complex, which is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of telomeres. TERRA can inhibit telomerase, the enzyme responsible for adding telomeric repeats to the telomere, and this activity has been proposed to be important in the regulation of telomerase activity. TERRA has also been shown to play a role in the regulation of telomere length, and it’s been found to be involved in the formation of telomeric loops and telomeric heterochromatin.
Recent studies suggest that TERRA also plays a role in other biological processes beyond telomere biology. TERRA has been found to be involved in the regulation of gene expression, chromatin structure, and DNA damage response. These findings indicate that TERRA may have a broader role in the regulation of genomic stability beyond telomere biology.
It’s important to note that telomere RNA is a relatively new field of research, and more research is needed to fully understand the functional roles of TERRA and other telomeric RNAs in telomere biology and in other cellular processes.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is a field that combines biology, computer science, and information technology to analyze and interpret biological data. It involves the use of computational tools and methods to process, analyze, and interpret large amounts of biological data, such as DNA and protein sequences, gene expression data, and protein structures.
There are several key areas of bioinformatics, including:
Sequence analysis: This involves the alignment, annotation, and comparison of DNA and protein sequences.
Genomics: This area deals with the study of the entire genome of an organism and the identification of genetic variations
Proteomics: This area deals with the study of proteins and the identification of their functions and interactions
Systems biology: This area focuses on the study of interactions between different biological components, such as genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways, in order to understand the complex behavior of cells and organisms.
Drug discovery and design: this area of bioinformatics involves using computational methods to predict the properties of potential drugs and identify new drug targets
Chemoinformatics: This area of bioinformatics is related to the design, discovery, and development of chemical compounds with biological activities and applications.
The use of bioinformatics is becoming increasingly important in many areas of biology and medicine, including genomics, drug discovery, and precision medicine. With the rapid growth of technology, bioinformatics has become a critical tool in handling and processing the huge amount of data generated by experiments and machine learning techniques that allow better predictions, interpretations, and discoveries.
Telomere Biology and Telomere Maintenance
To maintain the stability of chromosomes, cells have several mechanisms to preserve telomere length, one of which is telomerase. Telomerase is an enzyme that can add more DNA to telomeres, thus compensating for the loss of telomere length during cell division. Telomerase is active in cells that need to divide frequently, such as stem cells and cancer cells.
Another mechanism is the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT), an alternative to telomerase that is found in a minority of cancer cells and other cells that need to divide frequently. ALT mechanisms involve the use of telomeric DNA from elsewhere in the genome to extend telomeres.
It’s important to note that while telomerase and ALT are important for maintaining telomere length and chromosomal stability, the activation of telomerase or ALT pathways can also contribute to the development of cancer.
Research on telomeres and telomere maintenance is ongoing, and scientists are still working to fully understand the biology of telomeres and how to target telomerase and ALT in the context of aging and cancer.
Biomarkers and Cell Death
A biomarker is a measurable characteristic that can be used to indicate a particular biological process, such as cell death. Biomarkers can be used to monitor the progression of a disease, the effectiveness of a treatment, or the presence of a specific condition, such as cell death. Biomarkers can be found in various biological samples, such as blood, urine, and tissue, and can be measured by different methods, such as imaging, blood tests, and genetic analysis.
In the context of cell death, there are different types of biomarkers that can be used to indicate the presence and progression of cell death. These biomarkers can be broadly categorized into two groups:
Morphological biomarkers: These biomarkers are based on the changes in the shape and structure of cells that occur during cell death. Examples of morphological biomarkers include changes in cell size, shape, and organization, as well as the presence of apoptotic bodies and phagocytosis of cells.
Biochemical biomarkers: These biomarkers are based on the changes in the molecular composition of cells that occur during cell death. Examples of biochemical biomarkers include the activation of caspases, which are enzymes involved in the process of apoptosis, and the release of specific proteins, such as cytochrome c and DNA fragmentation.
It’s important to note that the use of biomarkers in the context of cell death is complex and can depend on the type of cell death, the cell type, and the stage of the disease. Also, there is not a specific biomarker for each type of cell death, and usually, a combination of biomarkers is needed to confirm the presence of cell death.
Biomarkers can be used to monitor the progression of a disease, the effectiveness of a treatment, or the presence of a specific condition, such as cell death. Additionally, the identification of novel biomarkers can provide new insights into the underlying biology of a disease and may enable the development of new treatments.
Somatic Cells and Synthesis
Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not germ cells (egg or sperm cells); these are the cells that make up the majority of the body’s tissues and organs, such as skin cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells.
One of the main characteristics of somatic cells is that they undergo cell division, and as they divide, their telomeres shorten. Eventually, the telomeres become too short, and the cells can no longer divide, which is known as replicative senescence.
In terms of proteinsynthesis, somatic cells use the genetic information stored in their DNA to produce proteins. This process is known as transcription and translation. During transcription, a specific portion of the DNA is copied into an RNA molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA is then transported to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where it is translated into a specific protein.
Proteinsynthesis is a vital process for the proper functioning of cells, and it allows somatic cells to perform specific functions like structural support, transport, communication, and response to the environment, among others. The proteins produced by the somatic cells are also involved in the repair and maintenance of the cells and tissues.
It is important to note that in addition to proteinsynthesis, somatic cells also perform other functions, including cell division, metabolism, and response to signals from the environment. Additionally, some somatic cells, such as stem cells, have the ability to divide and differentiate, giving rise to
What Causes DNA Damage
DNA damage is a natural occurrence that can happen at any time and can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes of DNA damage include:
Environmental factors: UV radiation from the sun, ionizing radiation from X-rays or radioactive materials, and exposure to certain chemicals such as carcinogens can all cause DNA damage.
Metabolic reactions: Normal cellular metabolism produces harmful byproducts called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause DNA damage.
Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and poor diet can increase the risk of DNA damage.
Natural aging: As cells divide, the telomeres at the end of chromosomes shorten, leading to an accumulation of DNA damage over time.
Errors in DNA replication: During cell division, DNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for copying DNA, can make mistakes that can cause mutations in the DNA sequence.
External factors: viruses and bacteria can introduce their genetic material into cells, leading to potential mutations or loss of DNA.
All of these factors can cause a variety of types of DNA damage, such as base modifications, single-strand or double-strand breaks, cross-linking, or DNA-protein cross-links. The ability of the cell to repair the damage is crucial for preventing mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, and cellular death. However, when the repair mechanisms fail, the damaged DNA can lead to aging and cancer.
DNA Repair
DNA repair refers to the processes by which cells correct damage to the DNA molecules that carry the genetic information. DNA damage can occur as a result of environmental factors, such as UV radiation or exposure to chemicals, as well as due to normal metabolic processes within the cell.
Cells have several mechanisms to repair DNA damage, which can be classified into two main categories:
Direct repair: This type of repair addresses specific types of DNA damage, such as base damage or single-strand breaks, through specific enzymes that target and repair the damage directly. Examples of direct repair mechanisms include base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, and mismatch repair.
Indirect repair: This type of repair involves the replication machinery and the cell cycle. Indirect repair pathways include homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining, and single-strand annealing. These mechanisms use the sister chromatid or homologous chromosomes as a template to repair the damaged DNA.
It’s important to note that DNA damage repair is a complex process, and the efficiency of repair can vary depending on the type of damage, the cell type, and the stage of the cell cycle. Additionally, some cells, such as neurons and postmitotic cells, have a limited capacity to repair DNA damage, which could lead to an accumulation of DNA damage over time and contribute to aging and cancer.
It is also important to know that failure in DNA repair mechanisms can lead to mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, and cellular death. Some inherited conditions, such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Fanconi Anemia, and Ataxia-telangiectasia, are caused by mutations in DNA repair genes, resulting in increased sensitivity to DNA damage and increased risk of cancer.
What is Telomere Testing, and What Does It Measure?
Telomeres are measured by taking a blood sample from the patient. The length of each individual’s telomeres is measured according to his or her age. Each telomere is then compared based on the average length from a sample of the population of those in the same age range as the patient. The patient is then assigned a percentile score.
What does the test conclude?
This test concludes how fast the patient ages based on the average population of his age.
What are the benefits of Telomere Testing?
Many benefits arise from telomere testing, some of which include slowing the process of aging and decreasing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other age-related diseases.
What happens after the Telomere Test?
Your doctor will speak to you about where you are according to the average person your age. After evaluation with your doctor, he will then guide you and recommend lifestyle changes, medications, and diet, which can decrease oxidative stress and increase lifespan. A diet with increased oxidative stress is found to cause the shortening of telomeres. Another option your doctor may discuss with you in order to decrease the shortening of telomeres would be the management and treatment of chronic medical conditions as well as daily supplements that contain anti-oxidants.
If you are concerned about aging and would like to test your telomeres to see how rapidly you are aging in comparison to the average person, please call us at 310-299-8959 to schedule an appointment.
Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Specialist in Concierge Medicine & Executive Health. Dr. Nazarian practices Integrative Medicine with focus on preventative medicine, anti-aging, hormone replacement therapy and IV Vitamin optimizations. Dr. David Nazarian, received his bachelor of sciences from the University of Los Angeles, California in Psychology and Biology. He obtained his Medical Doctorate degree from Sackler School of Medicine. He completed his medical residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a University of Southern California affiliate hospital. Once completed, he established a practice in the heart of Beverly Hills. Dr. Nazarian is a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He has received numerous awards and recognition as a top doctor in his field.
