Telomerase as a possible key to bypass reproductive cost

Abstract

AbstractThree widely accepted assumptions are based on telomere research in human cells: (i) telomere length is a determinant of replicative ageing; (ii) telomerase activity in somatic cells supports the proliferative capacity of the cells and thus contributes to their regenerative potential and is a determinant of organismal lifespan; and (iii) the lack of telomerase activity acts as a tumour suppression mechanism. However, from a broader view, the link between telomere biology and cellular and organismal ageing, as well as tumour development, remains of debate, as I demonstrate with numerous examples of invertebrate and vertebrate species. Consequently, I propose a novel hypothesis that telomere biology, via somatic telomerase activity, reflects ageing rate from the perspective of species reproduction strategy.