Exercise May Protect Your Telomeres

Certain  exercise appears to increase transcription of telomeres into telomeric  repeat–containing RNA (TERRA), which may protect telomere length

Telomeres  can be lengthened by the enzyme telomerase in specific cell types, but  the rate of shortening as we age also appears to be affected by multiple  additional factors such as stress exposure. Telomeres themselves were  once believed to be transcriptionally silent, but new research has  discovered that they can be transcribed into something sequences called  telomeric repeat–containing RNA (TERRA).

Telomere transcription

These  TERRA sequences are still largely mysterious, and while there are  theories that they may protect or even lengthen telomeres, we currently  don't know. Curiously, researchers have confirmed that within telomeric  sequences exists a binding site for the transcription factor nuclear  respiratory factor 1 (NRF1). NRF is activated in response to lowered ATP  levels, which are a consequence of exercise. 

Exercise can increase telomere transcription

Observing  10 healthy individuals undergoing a low or high intensity, 45 minute  workout, researchers took before and after samples to determine whether  levels of these TERRA sequences increased as a response to exercise. 

TERRA  levels were increased 2.5 hours after both low and high intensity  exercise, but more markedly following the high intensity variety. More  importantly, levels were raised in both dividing and non-dividing cells.  While telomere length is extremely important for healthy cellular  division, we shouldn't discount the importance of telomere integrity in  non-dividing cells too, which may also play an important role in the  aging process.

“The novelty  and merit of this work is that the authors demonstrate, for the first  time, that [telomere transcription] occurs in response to physical  exercise in a physiological system—human muscle”

What do TERRA sequences actually do?

The  research team demonstrated that a regulator of mitochondrial  metabolism, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor g coactivator 1α  (PGC-1α), kicks off NRF1 driven telomere transcription. Exactly what  these transcribed sequences do however, is still to be determined.  Exercise produces higher levels of ROS (reactive oxygen species), so one  theory is that these sequences associated with and protect telomeres  from damage. If this is truly the case, finding new regulators of TERRA  transcription could be an additional way of protecting telomere  integrity and length. 

“The implications of this work could be major since TERRA is a potential therapeutic target to promote healthy aging”

Read more at The Scientist

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