Telomere maintenance

Telomere maintenance involves processes that protect the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, which shorten each time cells divide. If telomeres become too short, cells can age or stop dividing. Specialized enzymes like telomerase can replenish these protective caps, extending their length and allowing cells to continue dividing healthily. This maintenance is crucial for tissue regeneration, aging, and preventing genetic instability. In most adult cells, telomerase activity is low, leading to gradual telomere shortening, whereas in stem cells and some cancer cells, higher telomerase activity helps sustain their ability to divide.