Scientists at Harvard have found a way to increase telomere length. The process of reduction is the basis of aging cells, so the opening will not only prolong youthfulness of the body, but to cure some hereditary diseases, writes ScienceDirect.
Telomeres are like little caps that protect the ends of chromosomes from fraying. Every time a cell divides, and their length is reduced, and when they become too short to prevent damage to genetic material, the cell starts the process of aging.
the Study of genetics, mainly, was aimed at finding ways to cure congenital dyskeratosis. This is a rare hereditary disease that leads to early aging of cells. One of the causes of the disease are mutations that block the formation of the enzyme telomerase, which maintains the integrity of telomeres and, in fact, makes the cells immortal.
Scientists have discovered a gene PARN, which produces a protein involved in the production of an important component of the telomerase connection TERC. The mutations lead to malfunction of this gene and, correspondingly, reduction in telomere length. After studying more than one hundred thousand chemical compounds of genetics found out that to restore the protein can PARN enzyme inhibitors PAPD5.
studies in mice-the experiment showed its safety and effectiveness. The connection has already experienced the culture of stem cells taken from people with congenital dyskeratosis. With their help were able to restore normal telomere length.
Doctors hope that using PAPD5 inhibitors will be an alternative for the treatment of dyskeratosis. Now from the disease can be eliminated only through a bone marrow transplant. In future, the opening can be used to slow the aging of the whole organism.
