engleski

Dynamics of telomere shortening in cell senescence

Normal mammalian cells demonstrate limited growth capacity. Due to the DNA end replication problem and additional 5'-exonuclease activity, their telomeres are shortening during each subsequent division. When telomeres are criticaly shortened cell proliferation is permanently stopped. This phenomenon is known as cellular senescence. Cells in the culture do not senescence in synchronous fashion. Individual cells rather senescence randomly within one division so that they gradualy accumulate until entire culture cease further divisions. Abrupt and stochastic telomere shortening has been identified as intrinsic mechanism that constantly generates heterogeneity in doubling potentials among individual cells or subclones. This phenomenon ensure gradual advance of senescence in the culture and posibly gradual advance of the aging process in higher mamals.

telomeres ; senescence

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