X-Message-Number: 25380
From: 
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:53:40 EST
Subject: Basie- telomere shortening in other species

>It would not be difficult to compare the telemeres of a large number of
different animal species (whose ages are known) with their age. One should 
be able to draw a graph that shows this correlation. This study should then 
be repeated by
another independent science facility. The reason this have not been done is 
perhaps
because the proponents of this theory do not want to embarrass themselves.

Dear Basie,

I have personally measured the telomere lengths of hundreds of humans and 
about 40 species of mammals and birds (our lab has measured over a hundred 

species, many for significant numbers of cell PDs). Human average telomere 
length 
does shorten with age (in cells that divide or are produced by dividing cells, 
like the white blood cells and fibroblasts that I have worked with. Naturally 
one would expect no effect on neurons). 

Other mammal telomeres are of two types. Rodents and lagomorphs have very 
long telomeres and express telomerase, so they show no shortening. Larger, 

longer-lived mammals such as humans and whales (bowheads live over 200 years...

maybe I should just put that fact in a sig line) have relatively short telomeres
in their somatic cells that shorten with each division.

A quick search of PubMed will probably turn up whatever else you want to know 
about telomeres and aging. 


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