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How long should telomeres be?

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Abstract

What began as a study of the "end-replication problem" took on a new dimension as it became clear that telomeres are a "molecular clock" of replication in human somatic cells. Here we review the biology of telomeres in vitro and in vivo, in mice and humans. We suggest that, in humans, telomeres are involved in the biology of aging and pathobiology of disorders of aging, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. We also propose that the underlying dynamics of telomere biology is in line with broad principles of evolutionary theories.

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  1. Hypertension Research Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, 07103, Newark, NJ, USA

    Abraham Aviv MD

  2. Geron Corporation, 230 Constitution Drive, 94025, Menlo Park, CA, USA

    Calvin B. Harley PhD

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  1. Abraham Aviv MD
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Aviv, A., Harley, C.B. How long should telomeres be?. Current Science Inc 3, 145–151 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-001-0029-3

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