telomerase

noun

tel·​o·​me·​rase te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās How to pronounce telomerase (audio)
-ˌrāz
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

Examples of telomerase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Now, this requires stepping back to explain the importance of telomerase and telomeres and their relation to cancer growth. New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024 However, the enzyme telomerase can rebuild telomeres to restore cell division. New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024 However, most of our cells produce very little telomerase naturally. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 The plants did, however, ramp up their production of telomerase, the enzyme that helps maintain telomere length. Discover Magazine, 5 July 2024 Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, is highly dependent on telomerase to grow, and three-quarters of all melanomas acquire mutations in telomerase. Jonathan Alder, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2022 Even more interesting is the fact that TPP1 is known to activate telomerase. Jonathan Alder, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2022 The level of the enzyme telomerase went up by 30%. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 13 June 2022 So the molecular cause is exactly the same base pair change in a telomerase gene. Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telomerase was in 1988

Dictionary Entries Near telomerase

Cite this Entry

“Telomerase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telomerase. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

telomerase

noun
tel·​o·​me·​rase te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz How to pronounce telomerase (audio)
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

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