So if it's true that the telomere length dictates cellular ageing, then
what would be the easiest way to maintain it in cells? How would it
posible to upregulate telomerase expression? Three methods spring to
mind.
1) Find some way of injecting 'neat' telomerase into all cells. This
would pose problems as it would not be actively taken up across cellular
membranes. The only way around this I can think of is to somehow link it
to another component that is hydrophobic and will merge with the
membranes and release telomerase into the cell.
2) Insert the DNA sequence into all the cells genomes providing it with
an 'inducible?' or constitutive promoter to allow over expression. The
use of retroviruses that have been made safe could be employed to carry
out this task.
3) Find out how telomerase expression is controlled by the cell. Isolate
its promoter that initiates its expression and study it. It may be
possible to find a component that will cause its upregulation. If this
component is taken up actively by cells then it would simply be a matter
of injecting it to give your cells a boost.
Does anyone know if any of these tasks have been attempted or if they can
think of another way around the problem?
Cheers
Gareth
