Telomeres in Germ Line and Early Embryo: An Overview
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Iria Gonzalez-Vasconcellos; José Luis Fernández
- Source
- Subject
- medicine.anatomical_structure
Meiosis
Somatic cell
medicine
Embryo
Biology
Oocyte
Genome
Germline
Cell biology
Chromatin
Telomere
- Language
Male sperm and female oocyte ensure the proper endurance of a stable genome throughout generations. Telomeres are specialized chromatin structures that cap the end of eukaryotic chromosomes. Those capping structures are essential for maintaining genome integrity and stability not only in somatic cells but also during meiosis. Telomere biology is therefore relevant to reproduction and fertility. Dysfunctional telomeres may result in aneuploidies and cell death in both gametes and embryo potentially leading to infertility and miscarriage. Intriguingly, telomeres inherited through the germ line could possibly influence the somatic line of the offspring, reflecting in longevity and susceptibility to common age-related pathologies.