Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells

In telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblasts, Epitalon induced formation of the catalytic telomerase subunit, enzyme activity and elongation of telomeres.

Key points

• The study used human fetal fibroblasts that do not produce telomerase on their own.
• After adding Epitalon, the catalytic subunit, telomerase activity and longer telomeres were detected.
• The authors interpret this as reactivation of the telomerase gene in somatic cells.

Assessment

Evidence type: preclinical, cell culture. A three-page short communication and still the most cited paper on Epitalon. Independent replications are rare; the far-reaching conclusion about whole organisms goes beyond the data. Profile: Epitalon.