The telomerase is a cellular reversed transcriptase consisting of RNA and proteins. The RNA contains a sequence that can form base matches on the telomer-repetitions at the end of the DNA-strand and serves as a travelling template for the synthesis of telomer-sequences (5’-TTAGGG-3’) at the end of the chromosomes. Thanks to this mechanism the unstoppable shortening of the DNA during replication is slowed down, so that the cells ages less slowly and is protected from DNA-damage, which plays a big role in cancer genesis.
