Telomeres

Inherited long telomeres may drive broad risk for lymphoid cancers

Human telomerase shows selective cross-species activity, revealing limits of animal models

The study reveals that human TERT is only compatible with non-human primate cells, while other species show limited or no telomere lengthening. This highlights the importance of using suitable preclinical models for telomerase-based therapies.

First gap-free peanut genomes reveal genes behind bigger seeds and better oils

Researchers have produced complete genome sequences for six peanut varieties, identifying two candidate genes linked to oil content and seed size. These findings provide a comprehensive blueprint for future peanut breeding and improvement strategies.

Computational model measures key aging metric from routine biopsies

Researchers developed a computational tool that infers telomere length from structural changes in cells and tissues captured in medical biopsies. The TLPath model accurately predicts telomere length, providing new opportunities for studying human aging.

Shorter early-life telomere length as a predictor of survival

A new study reveals that shorter early-life telomeres are associated with higher survival rates in black-legged kittiwakes. In contrast, larger individuals tend to have shorter telomeres, suggesting a trade-off between growth and telomere maintenance.

New clues to preventing stillbirth

Flinders University researchers discovered a biological process that could explain some stillbirths and pave the way for early detection. The study found that molecules called circular RNAs build up in the placenta too quickly during pregnancy, compromising its ability to nourish the baby.

Scientists can finally answer an old question about cellular aging

A new study in Molecular Cell reveals that cellular aging is controlled by the ATM kinase response to withered telomeres. Cells grown under low oxygen conditions are more tolerant of short telomeres, while high oxygen accelerates cellular aging due to hyperactive ATM.

Daily coffee drinking may slow biological ageing of people with major mental illness

Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day may slow the biological ageing of people with severe mental illness by lengthening their telomeres, equivalent to 5 extra biological years. However, no such effects were observed beyond this daily amount.

Genetic tug-of-war: rare and common variants interact to regulate telomere length

A new study finds that rare and common genetic variants counterbalance each other to maintain telomere stability. The researchers used data from 379,764 participants and found a compensatory genetic mechanism that prevents extreme shortening or lengthening of telomeres.

Tying protein to fraying DNA solves mystery of illness for patients around the world

Researchers have identified replication protein A (RPA) as an essential protein for maintaining telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating diseases caused by shortened telomeres, such as aplastic anemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

TRF1 protein loss reduces body fat and improves metabolic health in mice without shortening telomeres

Researchers found that TRF1 protein loss led to leaner mice with altered metabolic profiles, including lower LDL cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar regulation. These benefits occurred without any detectable shortening of telomeres.

Hitchhiking DNA picked up by gene, saves a species from extinction

A research team has found that vital RNA needed to maintain telomeres in roundworms exists inside another gene's intron. This discovery suggests a common strategy for anti-aging therapies and regenerative medicine in humans, and could support species survival.

Study finds ‘man’s best friend’ slows cellular aging in female veterans

A groundbreaking study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that working with service dogs can slow cellular aging in female veterans. The study, which involved female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training.

New findings explain how a mutation in a cancer-related gen causes pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers discovered a mutation in the POT1 gene that prevents telomeres from repairing, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. This study highlights the importance of personalising treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.

Healthy telomeres key for cancer-fighting t cells

Research by University of Pittsburgh scientists discovered that damaging telomeres can lead to dysfunctional T cell function. To combat this, they developed a targeted antioxidant approach that rescued T cell function, opening the door for novel therapies in cancer immunotherapies.

Synthetic engineering of telomerase RNA, development of polygenic scores paves way to better understanding of telomeres

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a new approach to lengthening telomeres using synthetic RNA. The technique, known as eTERC, has been shown to increase telomere length in human stem cells and leave normal cell mechanisms intact. Additionally, polygenic scores have been developed to estimate the combined effect o...

Long-term obesity and biological aging in young adults

Chronic health issues may emerge from long-term obesity in young adults, leading to epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, and impaired nutrient sensing. The study found a significant association between long-term obesity and accelerated biological aging, highlighting the importance of addressing obesity early on.

New molecular tool sheds light on how cancer cells repair telomeres

A new molecular tool, BLOCK-ID, has been developed to study the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway in cancer cells. The tool allows researchers to monitor protein interactions and identify essential proteins like TRIM24, which play a crucial role in ALT telomere maintenance.

New research finds telomere shortening not consistent across premature aging disorders

A new study found that telomere shortening is not a shared characteristic of all progeroid syndromes, which cause individuals to display symptoms of aging far earlier than expected. The research suggests that the underlying biology of each syndrome plays a crucial role in determining whether telomere shortening occurs.

Shorter telomeres linked to increased risk of age-related brain diseases

Research from Mass General Brigham found that individuals with shorter telomeres and less optimal lifestyle choices are at greater risk for stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. However, those with healthier lifestyles showed no increased risk, suggesting a potential mitigation effect.

Biological age predicts cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality

A multicentre study found that biological ageing, measured by frailty index and telomere length, can predict cardiovascular disease risk more accurately than traditional tools. The study, involving over 14,000 individuals, suggests that incorporating biological age into risk assessments could improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

Linking diet, lifestyle & telomere length: insights from NHANES data

A study using NHANES data found that inflammation, rather than diet and exercise, has the strongest association with telomere shortening. Managing chronic inflammation may be key to preserving telomere length and promoting healthy aging.

Embryo development holds key to healthy lifestyles

Researchers have discovered that the earliest days of embryo development impact a person's future health and aging. Cellular processes within the egg at fertilization determine telomere length in offspring, increasing lifetime risk of chronic diseases.

WSU researcher pioneers new study model with clues to anti-aging

Researchers at Washington State University have created genetically engineered mice with human-like short telomeres, enabling the study of cellular aging as it occurs in humans. The new mouse model, called HuT mice, has significant implications for anti-aging research and cancer treatment.

Biomarker tied to premature cell aging may signal stroke, dementia, late-life depression

A preliminary study found that shorter protective caps at the end of chromosomes (telomeres) may be more likely to develop age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Adopting healthier lifestyles could lower the negative effects of shorter telomeres.

Rare lung cancer: gene activation determines mild or aggressive course

Researchers discovered TERT gene activation as a key factor in determining the clinical course of pulmonary carcinoid tumours, with aggressive growth linked to telomerase activation. The study aims to improve treatment planning and targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer types.

Leukocyte telomere length and disease severity in cystic fibrosis

A new study found that cystic fibrosis patients with more severe disease characteristics exhibit shorter leukocyte telomere length and greater LTL attrition. This association may accelerate aging and increase susceptibility to age-related diseases, emphasizing the importance of early CF diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention.

Association between osteoporosis and telomere shortening

Researchers found that osteoporosis is independently associated with rapid leukocyte telomere length shortening over a 2-year period. A total of 233 subjects were enrolled in the study, and multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that only osteoporosis was significantly linked to LTL shortening.

Unveiling Telo-seq: A breakthrough in telomere research on aging and cancer

Telo-seq reveals dynamic mechanisms of telomeres in aging and cancer, providing new insights into their role in health and disease. The breakthrough method determines telomere length and sequence on individual chromosomes.

Key mechanism for maintaining proper telomere length identified

A new study published in Cell demonstrates that CST is recruited to the end of the telomere and regulated by subtle chemical changes made to POT1, a protein in the shelterin complex. This finding provides new insight into human telomeres function at the molecular level, with implications for numerous diseases and disorders.

Dogma-challenging telomere findings may offer new insights for cancer treatments

A new study found that PARP1 is involved in the repair of telomeres, which can lead to genomic instability and cancer. Impairing this process can lead to telomere shortening and increased risk of cancer. The findings challenge existing dogma and open up new possibilities for improving cancer therapies.

Malaria may shorten leukocyte telomeres among sub-Saharan Africans

A recent study found that malaria endemicity is negatively associated with leukocyte telomere length in sub-Saharan African populations. Genetic factors explain roughly half of the variation, but environmental factors like malaria may also play a role.

Calorie restriction study reveals complexities in how diet impacts aging

Researchers found that people on caloric restriction lost telomeres more rapidly at first and then more slowly after their weight stabilized. The two-year timeline was not sufficient to show benefits, but those may still be revealed in longer-term data collection.

Exploring the effects of Dasatinib, Quercetin, and Fisetin on DNA methylation clocks: a longitudinal study on senolytic interventions

Researchers investigated the impact of senolytic treatments on DNA methylation clocks and epigenetic age. Results showed significant increases in epigenetic age acceleration with Dasatinib and Quercetin treatment, but not with Fisetin addition.

Double trouble at chromosome ends

Scientists have discovered two new end-replication problems in DNA replication, affecting both the leading and lagging strands. This revelation changes our understanding of telomere biology and may hold clinical implications for individuals with telomere disorders, such as Coats plus syndrome.

GV1001 reduces neurodegeneration and prolongs lifespan in mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found GV1001 decreases BACE and Aβ1-42 levels, reducing neurodegeneration and senescence in 3xTg-AD mice. It also increases survival, telomere length, and telomerase activity, contributing to improved lifespan.

Keeping telomerase in check

Researchers discovered that ATR kinase inhibits telomerase, preventing it from adding excessive telomeres to damaged DNA. This finding has implications for optimizing CRISPR techniques and studying cancer.

Comprehensive analysis of the T2T genome of the soybean cv. Zhonghuang 13

The study provides the first complete Chinese soybean cultivar T2T genome, filling gaps in previous analyses and identifying novel genes and genetic variants linked to desirable traits. This comprehensive analysis accelerates soybean breeding programs to develop new cultivars with improved yields, resistance, and adaptability.

Scientists create special "telomouse" with human-like telomeres

Researchers developed a mouse model with human-like telomeres by making a single genetic alteration, providing a valuable resource for studying aging and cancer. The discovery highlights the importance of the RTEL1 protein in determining telomere length.

Greener neighborhoods can protect us – at the cellular level

A new study found that residents of neighborhoods with more greenspace tend to have longer telomeres, indicating better cellular health. However, the positive impact of greenspace is not enough to compensate for other environmental challenges like air pollution and racial segregation.

Shorter white blood cell telomeres linked to higher dementia risk

A large-scale study of the UK Biobank data found that shorter white blood cell telomeres are associated with a higher risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Telomere length was also linked to smaller total brain volume and reduced brain structure.

Genetic evidence shows that smoking can cause us to age faster

A study of nearly 500,000 participants found that smoking shortens telomere length in white blood cells, a indicator of aging and cell regeneration. The more cigarettes smoked, the stronger the shortening effect, suggesting a link between smoking and accelerated aging.

The first telomere-to-telomere haplotype-resolved reference genome of triploid banana

The study presents a telomere-to-telomere haplotype-resolved reference genome of 'Baxijiao' triploid Cavendish banana. The genome consists of three haploid assemblies with varying sizes and repetitive regions, including expansions of gene families related to fruit quality, aroma, and anther/pollen development. Additionally, the genome ...

Sleep apnea accelerates aging, but use of breathing therapy method can mitigate the problem

Researchers found that telomere shortening, a biomarker of cellular aging, accelerated in untreated obstructive sleep apnea patients. However, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) attenuated this damage. The study suggests that CPAP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to slower aging.

Exploring the relationship between klotho and telomere biology in high-stress caregivers

A new study found that high-stress caregivers had higher klotho levels and longer telomeres in specific immune cells, which may provide protection against aging. In contrast, low-stress caregivers showed no significant associations between klotho levels and telomere length.

Existing cancer drug could be repurposed to fight certain aggressive cancers, report Singapore scientists

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University discover ponatinib, an existing cancer drug, can block key steps in alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. This could lead to new treatment options for ALT cancers, which currently lack targeted therapies.

Short telomeres in alveolar type II cells associate with lung fibrosis in post COVID-19 patients with cancer

Researchers found a link between short telomeres in ATII cells and lung fibrosis in post-COVID-19 patients. The study revealed loss of ATII cellularity and shorter telomeres concomitant with increased fibrotic lung parenchyma remodeling.

Targeting telomeres might be an effective therapeutic strategy against lung cancer, according to a CNIO study

Researchers have studied targeting telomeres as a potential therapeutic strategy for non-small cell lung cancer. Telomere dysfunction and telomerase deficiency slowed tumor progression, increasing vulnerability to DNA damage and immune system response.

20-year study may upend long-held theory about chromosomes and cancer

A new study of over 200 people with premature aging syndromes caused by abnormally short telomeres suggests that chromosomal instability may not be the reason for increased cancer risk. Instead, immune system cells that age and die prematurely may play a role in cancer predisposition.

Telomere shortening – a sign of cellular aging – linked to signs of Alzheimer’s in brain scans

A new study links shorter telomeres to multiple changes in the brain associated with dementia, including reduced grey matter volume and a thicker cerebral cortex. Longer telomeres were found to be protective, reducing the risk of dementia but not stroke or Parkinson's disease.

Aging | Telomere shortening linked to depression and cognitive impairment in older adults

Researchers discovered that telomere shortening is associated with early subjective depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints among healthy elderly individuals. The study also found a link between telomere shortening and increased interleukin-6 levels.

Telomeres, mitochondria, and inflammation oh my! Three hallmarks of aging work together to prevent cancer

Salk scientists discovered that when telomeres become very short, they communicate with mitochondria, triggering an inflammatory response. This process destroys cells that could become cancerous, preventing cancer formation. The findings highlight the importance of studying interactions between telomeres, mitochondria, and inflammation.

Making melanoma immortal: Pitt scientists discover key genetic step in cancer’s race to live forever

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a genetic link between melanoma tumors and telomere maintenance, which could lead to new treatments for the disease. The study found that mutations in the TPP1 gene stimulate telomerase activity, promoting long telomeres that enable cancer cells to divide in...

Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis should focus on the telomeres of the cells that regenerate the lungs, according to a new study by CNIO researchers

Researchers at CNIO have identified alveolar type II pneumocytes as the primary cell type responsible for developing pulmonary fibrosis. The study reveals that targeting these cells through telomere-based therapy may lead to a breakthrough in treating this debilitating disease.

NTU Singapore scientists’ discovery of the structure of a key part of our chromosomes could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer

Scientists from NTU Singapore have discovered that telomeres are stacked in columns like a spring, leaving DNA exposed to damage. This finding could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer, with potential treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.

Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

A recent study published in Cancer Research identified a unique vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers that can be exploited for targeted therapy. Researchers found that cancer cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) have a common weakness, leading to resistance to DNA-damaging agents and chemotherapy.

Aging | Common electrocardiogram measures are not associated with telomere length

Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants and found no association between electrocardiogram measures and telomere length. The study suggests that ECG prolongation is age-dependent but not a marker of biological aging.

Enzyme, proteins work together to tidy up tail ends of DNA in dividing cells

Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind enzyme Polα-primase and protein CST's interaction at the ends of chromosomes. The findings reveal an unprecedented role for CST in facilitating Polα-primase activity, shedding light on telomere replication and cell division.

New discovery in cancer progression paves way to combat cancer

Scientists from A*STAR and NUS Cancer Science Institute identified a key cancer progression mechanism that could lead to more effective treatments. The discovery involves reactivating the hTERT gene, which is responsible for prolonging telomeres in cancer cells.

Researchers uncover new pathway for accumulation of age-promoting ‘zombie cells’

A new study reveals that oxidative damage to telomeres can trigger cellular senescence, leading to the development of 'zombie cells'. Researchers found that damage at telomeres disrupts DNA replication and induces stress signaling pathways, contributing to age-related diseases.