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Telomerase

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A reverse transcriptase responsible for maintaining the telomere length of replicating cells. Telomerase recognizes a telomere-specific GC rich sequence and adds telomeric repeats by using and RNA template. [ ]

Term info

Label

Telomerase

Synonyms
  • Telomerase
  • telomerase
ALT DEFINITION

An enzyme in cells that helps keep them alive by adding DNA to telomeres (the ends of chromosomes). Each time a cell divides, the telomeres lose a small amount of DNA and become shorter. Over time, the chromosomes become damaged and the cells die. Telomerase helps keep this from happening. Cancer cells usually have more telomerase than most normal cells.

Legacy Concept Name

Telomerase

Preferred Name

Telomerase

Semantic Type

Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein, Enzyme

UMLS CUI

C0087071

code

C17470