Stem cell function and maintenance - ends that matter: Role of telomeres and telomerase.
Author: Saeed H, Iqtedar M.
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA, dkstemham@yahoo.com.
Conference/Journal: J Biosci.
Date published: 2013 Sep
Other:
Volume ID: 38 , Issue ID: 3 , Pages: 641-9 , Word Count: 104
Stem cell research holds a promise to treat and prevent age-related degenerative changes in humans. Literature is replete with studies showing that stem cell function declines with aging, especially in highly proliferative tissues/ organs. Among others, telomerase and telomere damage is one of the intrinsic physical instigators that drive agerelated degenerative changes. In this review we provide brief overview of telomerase-deficient aging affects in diverse stem cells populations. Furthermore, potential disease phenotypes associated with telomerase dysregulation in a specific stem cell population is also discussed in this review. Additionally, the role of telomerase in stem cell driven cancer is also briefly touched upon.
PMID: 23938394
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