A recent study has found that the overexpression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), which is a subunit of telomerase, an enzyme essential for telomere maintenance, leads to lifespan extension in mice without significant side effects [1].

Protecting DNA

Telomere shortening is a well-known hallmark of aging. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at the ends of the chromosomes. In most human cells, they become shorter with each division.