Educational objective: Telomeres help maintain chromosomal int | USMLE Biochemistry Videos & Books

Educational objective: Telomeres help maintain chromosomal integrity and are preserved in rapidly dividing cell lines (eg, epithelial cells, lymphocytes, hematopoietic stem cells) by telomerase. Disorders involving telomerase function (eg, dyskeratosis congenita) result in premature death of cells with high turnover, characteristically causing mucocutaneous changes (eg, oral leukoplakia, dystrophic nails), bone marrow failure, and pulmonary fibrosis.