Experimental manipulation of telomere length: does it reveal a corner-stone role for telomerase in the natural variability of individual fitness?

ABSTRACT: Telomeres, the non-coding ends of linear chromosomes, are thought to be an important mechanism of individual variability in performance. Research suggests that longer telomeres are indicative of better health and increased fitness; however, many of these data are correlational and whether these effects are causal are poorly understood. Experimental tests are emerging in medical and laboratory-based studies, but these types of experiments are rare in natural populations, which precludes conclusions at an evolutionary level. At the crossroads between telomere length and fitness is telomerase, an enzyme that can lengthen telomeres. Experimental modulation of telomerase activity is a powerful tool to manipulate telomere length, and to look at the covariation of telomerase, telomeres and indivi

SUBMITTER: Criscuolo F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5784060 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature