Telomere Attrition

Definition

Telomere attrition is the progressive shortening or functional loss of telomeres, the protective DNA-protein structures at the ends of chromosomes. Because conventional DNA replication cannot fully copy chromosome ends in many dividing cells, telomeres often become shorter with repeated cell division. [1] [2] [3]

Why It Matters in Ageing Research

Telomere attrition is considered one of the hallmarks of ageing because critically short or damaged telomeres can trigger DNA damage responses, cellular senescence, apoptosis, or reduced tissue regenerative capacity. It is important in ageing biology, but telomere length alone is not a complete measure of biological age or healthspan. [4] [5] [6]

Common Confusion

• Telomere attrition is related to telomeres, but it specifically refers to their shortening or loss of protective function.
• Short telomeres can contribute to cellular senescence, but senescence can also arise through other forms of stress and damage.
• Longer telomeres are not automatically better, because telomere maintenance is also connected to cancer biology.

Related Reading

• Hallmarks of Ageing
• Telomeres
• Telomerase
• Cellular Senescence

References

1. Blackburn, E. H., Greider, C. W., & Szostak, J. W. (2006). Telomeres and telomerase: the path from maize, Tetrahymena and yeast to human cancer and ageing. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1006-1133
2. de Lange, T. (2010). How Shelterin Solves the Telomere End-Protection Problem. https://doi.org/10.1101/sqb.2010.75.017
3. Palm, W., & de Lange, T. (2008). How Shelterin Protects Mammalian Telomeres. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.genet.41.110306.130350
4. Lopez-Otin, C., et al. (2013). The Hallmarks of Aging. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.039
5. Lopez-Otin, C., et al. (2023). Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.001
6. Sanders, J. L., & Newman, A. B. (2013). Telomere length in epidemiology: a biomarker of aging, age-related disease, both, or neither? https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxs008
7. Bernardes de Jesus, B., & Blasco, M. A. (2013). Telomerase at the intersection of cancer and aging. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2013.05.003