SINCE 1828
telomerase
noun
tel·o·me·rase
| \ te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās
, -ˌrāz\
, -ˌrāz\
Definition of telomerase
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells
Examples of telomerase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers from UC Berkeley have discovered the 3D structure of the enzyme telomerase, which could lead to new advances in aging research, as well as possible new insights into cancer. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Get Their First Look at the Enzyme That Could Help Battle Aging," 27 Apr. 2018 Cells that are exposed to cortisol have shorter telomeres and less telomerase, which is the enzyme responsible for maintaining the ends of telomeres. — Smithsonian, "How a Mother’s Depression Shows Up in Her Baby’s DNA," 22 Jan. 2018 Available without a prescription, TA-65 is derived from astragalus root extract, a powerful antioxidant, and is said to work by activating the enzyme telomerase, which counteracts telomere shortening. — Emily Dudding, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Age Backward," 31 Mar. 2015 In an ironic twist, the current president is a woman: Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn, who discovered the molecular nature of telomeres and who co-discovered telomerase, was hired in November 2015 and began work in January 2016. — Meredith Wadman, Science | AAAS, "Two female scientists sue Salk Institute, alleging discrimination at 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017 Lundblad, who joined the institute in 2003, has performed research on telomerase, an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres. — Gary Robbins, latimes.com, "Female scientists at Salk Institute claim gender discrimination, 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017 Lundblad — who joined the Salk in 2003 — also has performed research on telomerase, an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres. — Gary Robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2 top female scientists sue Salk Institute for gender discrimination," 13 July 2017 Could the team activate telomerase to rejuvenate the epigenome? — Tad Friend, The New Yorker, "Silicon Valley’s Quest to Live Forever," 24 Mar. 2017 Bailey said more research is needed to learn if something about being in space actually builds up telomeres by activating the enzyme, called telomerase, that constructs them. — John Ingold, The Denver Post, "Did a CSU study find that space travel makes you younger? Not so fast, professor says," 10 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telomerase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for telomerase
telomerase
noun
tel·o·me·rase
| \ te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz
\
\
Medical Definition of telomerase
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells
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