telomerase

(noun)

an enzyme in eukaryotic cells that adds a specific sequence of DNA to the telomeres of chromosomes after they divide, giving the chromosomes stability over time

Related Terms

Examples of telomerase in the following topics:

  • Telomere Replication

    • The discovery of the enzyme telomerase helped in the understanding of how chromosome ends are maintained.
    • Telomerase adds complementary RNA bases to the 3' end of the DNA strand.
    • Telomerase is typically active in germ cells and adult stem cells, but is not active in adult somatic cells.
    • In 2010, scientists found that telomerase can reverse some age-related conditions in mice.
    • The ends of linear chromosomes are maintained by the action of the telomerase enzyme.