Telomerase

Telomerase is a special reverse transcriptase composed of RNA and protein, which is related to the synthesis of telomeres (a specific nucleotide sequence and structure) at the end of DNA in eukaryotic cells. The telomere length of normal somatic cells is gradually shortened as the cell divides, and the telomerase activity is enhanced, which can maintain the length of the telomere without shortening, allowing the cells to proliferate and become cancerous. Therefore, telomerase detection and its inhibitors can be used for tumor diagnosis and treatment.