Telomeres and Telomerase - Symposium No. 211 [Hardcover]

CIBA Foundation Symposium (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0471972789 | ISBN-13: 978-0471972785 | Edition: 1

Telomeres and Telomerase Chairman: Sydney Brenner 1997 Telomeres are the protective genetic elements located at the ends of chromosomes and are essential for correct chromosomal structure and function. They are not fully replicated by the conventional DNA polymerase system because DNA synthesis occurs only in the 5??? to 3??? direction and requires an RNA primer for initiation. Consequently, cells require a special enzyme to maintain the telomeric ends of chromosomes during each round of replication. This enzyme, telomerase, is a ribonucleoprotein that extends chromosome ends by adding short stretches of nucleotide repeats using a portion of its integral RNA component as the template. Recently, much excitement has been generated by the suggestion that telomerase, or rather the absence of telomerase and the resultant loss of terminal DNA, is a cause of human ageing. The evidence for this is twofold: the telomeres of certain cells in culture shorten during their lifespan; and immortalization of cells is associated, at least in some cases, with the maintenance of telomeres and telomerase activity. The latter observation prompted the analysis of clinical samples from patients with cancer and the demonstration that, in contrast to normal somatic cells, malignant cells possess telomerase activity. This is a unique book. Not only does it contain the latest experimental results from an international group of experts, but it also includes critical examinations of the current evidence, and discussions that attempt to identify the central and underlying concepts of this rapidly expanding field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"....serves as a rich source of useful new information related to the telomere....highly recommended for every research library and teaching institution...", , , FEBS Letters, Number 455#

From the Publisher

Telomeres are the protective genetic elements located at the ends of chromosomes and are essential for correct chromosomal structure and function. They are not fully replicated by the conventional DNA polymerase system because DNA synthesis occurs only in the 5' to 3' direction and requires an RNA primer for initiation. Consequently, cells require a special enzyme to maintain the telomeric ends of chromosomes during each round of replication. This enzyme, telomerase, is a ribonucleoprotein that extends chromosome ends by adding short stretches of nucleotide repeats using a portion of its integral RNA component as the template. This book not only contains the latest experimental results from an international group of experts, but it also includes critical examinations of the current evidence, and discussions that attempt to identify the central and underlying concepts of this rapidly expanding field.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471972789
• ISBN-13: 978-0471972785
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,328,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book will surely turning back the strands of time, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Telomeres and Telomerase - Symposium No. 211 (Hardcover)

as a senior scientist, I couldn't write better book. this book reports on the discovery of an enzyme that slows down the aging process in every cell of our body. the authors found a pupular way to show how and why this remarkable enzyme works and the reader learns what the applications of this amazing discovery may be for everyone of us.

you may say the book cost a lot. well, if wrinkles is a past story. isnt it worth? this book might add years of happiness to your life. great writing ability. humur. intersting book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars it is very informative!, August 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Telomeres and Telomerase - Symposium No. 211 (Hardcover)

I readthis book and found some very basic questions answered on telomeres.This is a great book for people who are interested in knowing about telomeres.The discussions in it are very informative and make good reading.