I have heard this theory before too. Now a question: if cells can
only divide 50 times before becoming senescent, then why not only have
telomerase in germ-line cells, extend the gametic telomeres by a few
thousand bases and then just forget about it for the life of the adult
organism? Is there a reason why telomerase is more widespread? Can it
"cauterize" the ends of accidental double stand chromosomal breaks? I was
under the impression that the telomerase's RNA template needed a small
region of pairing with the existing chromosomal DNA to get the addition of
telemeric sequences to start. What other possible functions could this
enzyme have?
-Andy
ajpierce at med.unc.edu
