1 telomerase | Definition of telomerase

telomerase

noun
tel·​o·​me·​rase | \ te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās How to pronounce telomerase (audio) , -ˌrāz\

Definition of telomerase

: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

Examples of telomerase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During some of the heated sessions, medical doctors and anti-aging researchers argued loudly across the conference room about biomarkers, enzymes, telomerase endings of genes, and how far mitochondria might be manipulated. Zoltan Istvan, Quartz, "Rich people shouldn’t be the only ones who get to live forever," 29 July 2019 And the bat maintains its chromosome ends through a pathway that doesn't seem to involve telomerase, the enzyme most frequently associated with that activity. John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Why do bats have such bizarrely long lifespans?," 11 June 2019 Researchers from UC Berkeley have discovered the 3D structure of the enzyme telomerase, which could lead to new advances in aging research, as well as possible new insights into cancer. Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Get Their First Look at the Enzyme That Could Help Battle Aging," 27 Apr. 2018 Cells that are exposed to cortisol have shorter telomeres and less telomerase, which is the enzyme responsible for maintaining the ends of telomeres. Smithsonian, "How a Mother’s Depression Shows Up in Her Baby’s DNA," 22 Jan. 2018 Available without a prescription, TA-65 is derived from astragalus root extract, a powerful antioxidant, and is said to work by activating the enzyme telomerase, which counteracts telomere shortening. Emily Dudding, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Age Backward," 31 Mar. 2015 In an ironic twist, the current president is a woman: Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn, who discovered the molecular nature of telomeres and who co-discovered telomerase, was hired in November 2015 and began work in January 2016. Meredith Wadman, Science | AAAS, "Two female scientists sue Salk Institute, alleging discrimination at 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017 Lundblad, who joined the institute in 2003, has performed research on telomerase, an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres. Gary Robbins, latimes.com, "Female scientists at Salk Institute claim gender discrimination, 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017 Lundblad — who joined the Salk in 2003 — also has performed research on telomerase, an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres. Gary Robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2 top female scientists sue Salk Institute for gender discrimination," 13 July 2017

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First Known Use of telomerase

1988, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for telomerase

telomerase

noun
tel·​o·​me·​rase | \ te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz How to pronounce telomerase (audio) \

Medical Definition of telomerase

: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

More from Merriam-Webster on telomerase

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about telomerase