Question：
What is telomerase?
Telomeres are the protective caps found at the end of our chromosomes and they act by preventing damage or fusion with other chromosomes.
Telomerase is a specialized multi-component enzyme that synthesizes the TTAGGG DNA repeats that make up telomeres. This synthesis of new DNA acts to build up our telomeres prior to birth, and then to maintain the length of our telomeres throughout life.
As genetic material is replicated, and cells divide, telomeres are naturally depleted. Without telomerase to synthesize additional DNA repeats, the telomeres continually shorten, until ultimately, they are critically short and initiate cell senescence or death.
Telomerase was discovered and named in 1985 by Carol Greider and Elizabeth Blackburn, earning them shares, along with Jack Szostak, in the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. You can read more about their discovery here
Question：
Where is telomerase found?
Telomerase is absent or only present at very low levels in most human cells. It is thought that telomerase is restricted as a mechanism to impose a limit on cell proliferation. This can act as an anti-tumor protective mechanism.
However, regenerative cells such as stem cells and gametes (reproductive cells), need to be able to continually divide and maintain a healthy telomere length to maintain their capacities. Therefore, telomerase is much more active in these cells.
Telomerase is also upregulated in most cancer cells, reflecting the need for telomere maintenance for highly active cell division and tumor development. DEVELOPMENT
Question：
What happens when telomerase is not active in cells?
When telomeres are or become very short, cells can no longer divide effectively. When this problem is systemic, it can result in a range of telomere biology disorders (TBDs), also known as short telomere syndromes or telomeropathies.
This group of disorders have varied symptoms and origins, but are all defined by the presence of critically short telomeres.
There are 15 known genes which whe n they are impacted by a mutation or genetic abnormality can cause TBDs. Some of these abnormalities (for example in the telomerase genes TERC or TERT) can negatively impact telomerase production and consequently telomere maintenance and length.
This can result in TBD-related effects, usually noted first in more proliferative cells, with presenting symptoms such as bone marrow failure or aplastic anemia, for example.
Question：
The relationship between telomeres and aging
Senescence is a cellular state in which cells remain metabolically active but irreversibly exit the cell cycle and are unable to respond to stimuli that induce proliferation. Senescent cells influence many physiological and pathological processes from cancer to diabetes and aging.
During the aging process, senescent cells accumulate in tissues mainly through replicative senescence caused by telomere shortening. Therefore, drugs that selectively target senescent cells or increase telomerase activity to limit replicative senescence have potential therapeutic value as they could reverse the deleterious effects of aging and extend human lifespan. Indeed, since telomeres function as a cellular clock, methods to slow their degradation could prolong tissue health and function by limiting cellular senescence.
Question：
Does Magnesium Help with ADHD?
When it comes to managing ADHD symptoms, you might be surprised by the vital role that magnesium, an essential mineral, plays.
This powerful nutrient is more than just a component in our diet—it is essential in promoting brain function and emotional regulation, particularly in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Question：
Why do people take phosphatidylserine?
Phosphatidylserine is taken to try to prevent memory loss and mental decline that may occur as you get older.
Several studies suggest that it may boost your brain power. People who took the supplement scored higher on short-term memory, mood, and concentration tests. For example, they could better recall names and objects. Much more research is needed to confirm these results.
Scientists have used phosphatidylserine in studies to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Again, there is not enough evidence that phosphatidylserine is of any help in treating this condition.