Antiaging strategies based on telomerase activity

Abstract

Telomeres are DNA sequence that are repeated at the end of the linear chromosomes and ensure chromosome stability during replication. Telomere length shortened each cell division and during oxidative stress. When telomeres lose their length critically, cell division can no longer occur which causes cells to enter senescence. Besides, telomeres are sensitive to oxidative stress which can cause telomere shortening. Telomerase, which consists of a structural RNA and two proteins, is a cellular reverse transcriptase. This reverse transcriptase adds new DNA onto the telomeres and thus it is responsible for telomere length. There is no telomerase activity in human somatic cells due to the lack of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression; because of this situation, telomeres progressively shortened and finally exhausted with aging process. Telomerase activation is a potentially helpful technique for anti-aging strategy and to combat age-related diseases. Telomerase activators that are chemical molecules activate telomerase, or hTERT is used as an antiaging supplement that is a new era of antiaging nutritional science. This chapter has discussed antiaging strategies based on telomerase activity to combat the aging process.