Resumen
La telomerasa es una enzima compuesta principalmente por una transcriptasa inversa y una plantilla de ARN que previene el acortamiento crítico de los extremos de los cromosomas. Este documento de revisión no-sistemática presenta y analiza la función biológica de la telomerasa en relación con la longitud de los telómeros, exponiendo su importancia para la homeostasis del contenido de los cromosomas, la capacidad regenerativa de las células madre, la regulación de la función mitocondrial, el desarrollo de tumores y otras patologías, y el envejecimiento prematuro. Se describió además otra vía para el mantenimiento de los la longitud de los telómeros, que también tiene una relación con la carcinogénesis. Se concluye que a pesar de los resultados obtenidos por distintos experimentos en animales que han mostrado opciones de posibles aplicaciones terapéuticas, aún es necesario indagar más acerca de los mecanismos moleculares que encierra la telomerasa.
Citas
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