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Oxidative stress shortens telomeres

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Thomas von Zglinicki

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Abstract

Telomeres in most human cells shorten with each round of DNA replication, because they lack the enzyme telomerase. This is not, however, the only determinant of the rate of loss of telomeric DNA. Oxidative damage is repaired less well in telomeric DNA than elsewhere in the chromosome, and Oxidative stress accelerates telomere loss, whereas antioxidants decelerate it. I suggest here that oxidative stress is an important modulator of telomere loss and that telomere-driven replicative senescence is primarily a stress response. This might have evolved to block the growth of cells that have been exposed to a high risk of mutation.

Publication metadata

Author(s): von Zglinicki T

Publication type: Editorial

Publication status: Published

Journal: Trends in Biochemical Sciences

Year: 2002

Volume: 27

Issue: 7

Pages: 339-344

ISSN (print): 0968-0004

ISSN (electronic): 0167-7640

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0968-0004(02)02110-2

DOI: 10.1016/S0968-0004(02)02110-2

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