Telomerase

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme (RNA-protein complex) that adds TTAGGG hexanucleotide repeat sequences to the ends of linear chromosomes (telomeres), counteracting the telomere shortening that occurs with each cell division. In most somatic cells, telomerase is inactive or expressed at very low levels, causing progressive telomere shortening and eventually replicative senescence. In germline cells, stem cells, and most cancer cells, telomerase is active, maintaining telomere length and enabling continued proliferation. Epitalon is the most studied peptide for telomerase activation in normal somatic cells — Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated Epitalon-induced telomerase activation in human fetal fibroblasts and lymphocytes via a p53-independent mechanism (PMID: 12665553).

Related peptides: Epitalon Related research: [Khavinson 2003 — Epitalon Telomerase Study](/research/khavinson-2002-epitalon-telomerase)

Part of the Aevitas Peptide Glossary.