Gene

Cell division

Cell biology

DNA-binding protein

Biology

Somatic cell

Telomere-binding protein

Genetics

Genome

Telomere

Genome instability

Transcription factor

Cell

DNA damage

Chromosome

Phenotype

Cells

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that cap the end of each chromosome arm and function to maintain genome stability. The length of telomeres is known to shorten with each cell division and it is well-established that telomere attrition is related to replicative capacity in vitro. Moreover, telomere loss is also correlated with the process of aging in vivo. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that lead to telomere shortening and summarise telomere homeostasis in humans throughout a lifetime. In addition, we discuss the available evidence that shows that telomere shortening is related to human aging and the onset of age-related disease.

Telomere Biology and Human Phenotype