Researchers have discovered that some hydra species hardly age at all under normal conditions. These tiny aquatic animals maintain their functions and do not die of old age. This is because their cells constantly renew thanks to an enzyme called telomerase.
Telomerase ensures that telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes, do not keep getting shorter. In humans and most animals, these telomeres shorten every time a cell divides, which eventually leads to ageing and cell death. Thanks to telomerase, hydras are able to keep their cells constantly young and active.
Hydras consist mainly of stem cells, which can constantly renew themselves and replace damaged body parts. This makes them almost immortal, because their cells continue to divide without signs of deterioration. This contrasts with humans, in whom most body cells are limited in the number of times they can divide.
Although hydras have a completely different biology from humans, scientists hope to learn something about ageing and cell renewal. Understanding how telomerase works could potentially contribute to research into healthy ageing and the prevention of ageing-related diseases.
For anyone wanting to understand how we can better combat old age, it is important to know that our cells play an important role in life and health via telomeres and telomerase.
Source: Reason
