TERT

TERT stands for Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular aging and cancer. It helps maintain the length of telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. As cells divide, telomeres shorten over time, leading to aging and eventual cell death. TERT can extend these telomeres, allowing for more cell divisions. In cancer, abnormal TERT activity can enable unlimited cell growth, contributing to tumor formation. Understanding TERT is important for research into aging, cancer biology, and potential therapies.