The enzyme telomerase is responsible for maintaining the stability of chromosomal ends. Telomerase activity is believed to be associated with cellular stability and anti-cancer properties. In humans, telomeres consist of repetitive sequences (TTAGGG). Telomerase is also present in germ cells. This enzyme is a ribonucleoprotein. However, telomerase is absent in somatic tissues and differentiated cells. The process of telomere shortening is akin to a mitotic clock. Remarkably, 90% of human tumors exhibit telomerase activity. Efforts have been made to utilize anti-telomerase therapies for cancer treatment. The expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, hTERT, enables infinite cellular division.
