Chronic stress elevates telomerase activity in rats | Zendy

Annaliese K. Beery | Zendy; Jue Lin | Zendy; Joshua S. Biddle | Zendy; Darlene Francis | Zendy; Elizabeth H. Blackburn | Zendy; Elissa S. Epel | Zendy

AI Assistant Blog Pricing

Home ZAIA Blog

Open Access

Chronic stress elevates telomerase activity in rats

Author(s) -

Annaliese K. Beery,

Jue Lin,

Joshua S. Biddle,

Darlene Francis,

Elizabeth H. Blackburn,

Elissa S. Epel

Publication year - 2012

Publication title -

biology letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.596

H-Index - 110

eISSN - 1744-957X

pISSN - 1744-9561

DOI - 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0747

Subject(s) - telomerase , telomere , biology , senescence , chronic stress , ageing , chromosome , mechanism (biology) , genetics , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , endocrinology , gene , philosophy , epistemology

The enzyme telomerase lengthens telomeres-protective structures containing repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends. Telomere shortening is associated with diseases of ageing in mammals. Chronic stress has been related to shorter immune-cell telomeres, but telomerase activity under stress may be low, permitting telomere loss, or high, partially attenuating it. We developed an experimental model to examine the impacts of extended unpredictable stress on telomerase activity in male rats. Telomerase activity was 54 per cent higher in stressed rats than in controls, and associated with stress-related physiological and behavioural outcomes. This significant increase suggests a potential mechanism for resilience to stress-related replicative senescence.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research