Telomerase expression and its implication on age related diseases in the sea star Patiria miniata
Faculty Mentor Name
Tara Fresques
Research or Creativity Area
Natural Sciences
Abstract
Exploring telomerase expression may provide insight to alleviate age-related diseases. As humans age, they become more prone to age related diseases– this is in part due to the shortening of telomeres, the caps located at the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA from degradation. Some organisms exhibit a unique mechanism where they are able to maintain telomerase expression, an enzyme that repairs telomeres throughout their entire lifetime.
This study aims to examine telomerase in the sea star Patiria miniata, a largely unexplored organism, to determine if it exhibits this unique mechanism related to healthy aging. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine telomerase expression, and a telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was conducted to measure the enzymatic activity of telomerase. For both assays, samples were collected prior to metamorphosis at multiple developmental stages (blastula, gastrula, and larva). In adults, tissue samples were taken from distinct organs (gonad, digestive tract, and tube feet).
The results showed that telomerase expression and activity is present in relatively high amounts, in both young and adult sea stars, which suggest Patiria miniata possess a molecular mechanism that allows them to remain healthy throughout their lifetime. By studying telomerase activity in P. miniata, we can gain valuable insight into the mechanisms that influence healthy aging. Understanding these processes will be valuable to inform future therapeutics aimed to alleviate age related diseases in humans.
Purpose
Exploring telomerase expression may provide insight to alleviate age-related diseases. As humans age, they become more prone to age related diseases– this is in part due to the shortening of telomeres, the caps located at the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA from degradation. Some organisms exhibit a unique mechanism where they are able to maintain telomerase expression, an enzyme that repairs telomeres throughout their entire lifetime.
This study aims to examine telomerase in the sea star Patiria miniata, a largely unexplored organism, to determine if it exhibits this unique mechanism related to healthy aging. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine telomerase expression, and a telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was conducted to measure the enzymatic activity of telomerase. For both assays, samples were collected prior to metamorphosis at multiple developmental stages (blastula, gastrula, and larva). In adults, tissue samples were taken from distinct organs (gonad, digestive tract, and tube feet).
Results
The results showed that telomerase expression and activity is present in relatively high amounts, in both young and adult sea stars, which suggest Patiria miniata possess a molecular mechanism that allows them to remain healthy throughout their lifetime.
Significance
By studying telomerase activity in P. miniata, we can gain valuable insight into the mechanisms that influence healthy aging. Understanding these processes will be valuable to inform future therapeutics aimed to alleviate age related diseases in humans.
Telomerase expression and its implication on age related diseases in the sea star Patiria miniata
Exploring telomerase expression may provide insight to alleviate age-related diseases. As humans age, they become more prone to age related diseases– this is in part due to the shortening of telomeres, the caps located at the ends of chromosomes that protect our DNA from degradation. Some organisms exhibit a unique mechanism where they are able to maintain telomerase expression, an enzyme that repairs telomeres throughout their entire lifetime.
This study aims to examine telomerase in the sea star Patiria miniata, a largely unexplored organism, to determine if it exhibits this unique mechanism related to healthy aging. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine telomerase expression, and a telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay was conducted to measure the enzymatic activity of telomerase. For both assays, samples were collected prior to metamorphosis at multiple developmental stages (blastula, gastrula, and larva). In adults, tissue samples were taken from distinct organs (gonad, digestive tract, and tube feet).
The results showed that telomerase expression and activity is present in relatively high amounts, in both young and adult sea stars, which suggest Patiria miniata possess a molecular mechanism that allows them to remain healthy throughout their lifetime. By studying telomerase activity in P. miniata, we can gain valuable insight into the mechanisms that influence healthy aging. Understanding these processes will be valuable to inform future therapeutics aimed to alleviate age related diseases in humans.
