hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase)
To understand hTERT we first need to understand the human cell structure. Human cells, or eukaryotic cells, are made up of the following main components: Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Organelles, Lysosomes, Vacuoles, Mitochondria, and a Nucleus. Each component plays a different role within the cell, but with regards to hTERT we will first focus on the nucleus.
Inside the nucleus is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), one of two nucleic acids found in the nucleus (the other is ribonucleic acid, or RNA), found in the form of Chromosomes. The DNA is responsible for giving the cell its unique characteristics associated with the cell type. Most human cells have similar characteristics, however, there are differences depending on the type. For example, a fat cell is different then a muscle or skin cell.
Understanding Chromosome Structure and DNA will lead us closer to learning what hTERT is. The 46 Chromosomes in humans are made up of long sequences of DNA which contain genetic information passed on to us by our mother and father. DNA takes the form of a "double helix" which looks like a spiraling ladder. These strands are typically 3-5 microns in length but can reach lengths of 1 millimeter.
This brings us to the heart of hTERT, the end of the DNA strands where Telomeres reside.
Telomeres are the basis for the science surrounding hTERT. Telomeres protect the end of chromosomes from destructing and causing senescence, or cell death. The human cell divides any where from 60-100 times throughout its life cycle. Each time this division occurs telomeres are shortened until they no longer serve to protect the chromosome. The number of times a cell divides before it stops and dies in known as the Hayflick Limit, after researcher Leonard Hayflick who discovered this process.
Now let's breakdown hTERT - Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase
The "h" stands for "Human". That's the easy part.
Telomerase is the key component in HTERT. It is an enzyme that adds DNA sequence repeats (TTAGGG) to the end of DNA strands in the telomere region. The enzyme consists of two components: a protein and an RNA which is a template for the telomere repeat as the cells divide. Without this the DNA is unable to continue and the cell will become senescent, or die.
Reverse Transcriptase is the process of transcribing single stranded RNA into double stranded DNA. Without Reverse Transcriptase a DNA strand is unable to replicate itself.
Putting it all together: Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT for short) is a ribonucleoprotein that maintains telomere ends by addition of the telomere repeat TTAGGG. Without Telomerase and TERT in humans DNA is unable to replicate ultimately causing cellular senescence, otherwise known as cell death. This is the basis for the aging process in humans. As cells die that means they are no longer able to replicate newer, fresher cells, hence causing our bodies to age.
The end game here is that if when telomeres shorten and cells die, then how do we make telomeres longer? By using methods to enhance hTERT in humans we can increase the health of telomeres and hence have our cells live longer and healthier.
This site will dive into the sciences supporting telomere lengthening and cell health. We'll discuss anti-aging research, supplementation, pharmaceuticals, and experimental techniques currently being tested.
This site is currently a work in progress so please bookmark and come back often to learn and share information about Cellular Health.
Links:
http://www.myrevgenetics.com/astralfruit
http://www.tasciences.com/
http://www.geron.com/technology/telomerase/telomerase.aspx
http://www.geron.com/products/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomerase
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomerase_reverse_transcriptase
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomere
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_transcriptase
