Cancer
From CasGroup
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One mechanism of [[Self-Rejuvenation|self-rejuvenation]] is telomerase, an enzyme that prevents wear and tear damage in chromosomes, the giant molecules of DNA that embody the genetic information. The tips of chromosomes wear down and telomerase helps to replenish them, keeping them at a proper length. It produces tiny units of DNA which seal off the tips of chromosomes. These DNA units, known as telomeres, act like the plastic caps at the ends of a shoelace, keeping the chromosomes from fraying and the genes inside them from unraveling. Telomerase is usually active only at the beginning of life; then the telomeres get shorter each time a cell divides. Therefore they serve as a kind of clock that counts off the cell’s allotted span of life. If they get too short, a cell cannot divide again. Among others, tumors somehow turn on the telomerase gene, providing a cell with an unlimited life span. If cancer cells do not reactivate the telomerase gene, then their telomeres would get steadily shorter, forcing them into senescence and death. | One mechanism of [[Self-Rejuvenation|self-rejuvenation]] is telomerase, an enzyme that prevents wear and tear damage in chromosomes, the giant molecules of DNA that embody the genetic information. The tips of chromosomes wear down and telomerase helps to replenish them, keeping them at a proper length. It produces tiny units of DNA which seal off the tips of chromosomes. These DNA units, known as telomeres, act like the plastic caps at the ends of a shoelace, keeping the chromosomes from fraying and the genes inside them from unraveling. Telomerase is usually active only at the beginning of life; then the telomeres get shorter each time a cell divides. Therefore they serve as a kind of clock that counts off the cell’s allotted span of life. If they get too short, a cell cannot divide again. Among others, tumors somehow turn on the telomerase gene, providing a cell with an unlimited life span. If cancer cells do not reactivate the telomerase gene, then their telomeres would get steadily shorter, forcing them into senescence and death. | ||
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| + | [[Self-Rejuvenation|self-rejuvenation]] seems to be so dangerous that bodies use a fine-tuned trade-off between rejuvenation and aging in form of [[Stem-Cell|stem cells]]. Switching off telomerase everywhere in the body is problematic because it would lead to aging and impair the abilities of self-regeneration and self-reproduction. Switching it on everywhere in the body would help to treat aging, but it would be problematic too, because it would lead unintended consequences in form of cancer. | ||
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== Related == | == Related == | ||
