Nobel Prize 2009 in Medicine and Physiology

The discovery of the defense mechanisms of chromosomes from end-of-replication with telomeres and telomerase.

Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider, Jack Szostack, all - USA.

The essence of the invention . Three American scientists discovered telomerase in 1984, a unique enzyme that allows you to increase the number of times the chromosome is allowed to replicate itself. In the cell, the role of the division counter is performed by the telomere - a special process of the chromosome. With each division, it should decrease until it ends at all. So, telomerase attaches to the tip of the process a fragment of TTAGGG, which helps to restore the length of telomeres after division.



Most importantly, each cell is initially programmed for how many times it is allowed to divide (fixed telomere size without telomerase). When the time comes out ( the Hayflick limit is reached) - the cell dies, and with it the whole body. People call it “old age”. But telomerase gives immortality to some cells, for example, 90% of cancer cells.

Scientists have found a way to deceive nature and run the counter on an endless cycle. It turned out to be quite simple. It is enough to maintain the physical length of the protein chain (telomeres) at a constant level. Telomere consists of RNA and a protein component, and RNA is constantly synthesized in the body. So just add the required protein. It is called the "catalytic component of telomerase."
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Production of immortal cells in the body is constantly. These are stem cells, which are necessary for the production of constantly generated body tissues (for example, epithelium). In addition to these, cancer cells are programmed for a similar immortal cycle.

Some pharmacological corporations have already begun to test drugs that suppress telomerase in cancer cells. Theoretically, this should stop the growth of tumors.

If you completely disable telomerase in the cells of the body, then all the cells will live forever, and the body will turn into one continuous cancer. This is a very dangerous weapon. Therefore, if we want to prolong the life of the organism, then the counter should not be reset, but simply slightly twisted.

For example, once in 25 years to undergo a special procedure for the extension of life, a certificate for which was presented to a man with a fantastic photo on his 150th birthday.