Introduction

Telomere shortening is a primary mechanism of cellular aging (the Hayflick limit). Telomerase is the enzyme capable of rebuilding telomeres. This study investigated if the tetrapeptide Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) could activate telomerase.

Experimental Design

Human fetal lung fibroblast cells were cultured. Epitalon was added to the culture medium. Telomere length was measured using the TRF (Terminal Restriction Fragment) assay.

Key Findings

Telomerase Activation

Epitalon induced telomerase activity in somatic cells that normally do not express it. This is a groundbreaking finding for a small molecule.

Telomere Elongation

Cells treated with Epitalon showed a 33.3% increase in mean telomere length compared to controls.

Cell Lifespan

The treated cells exceeded their normal Hayflick limit, undergoing significantly more population doublings while maintaining a normal karyotype (no cancer-like changes).

Significance

This study provides the cellular mechanism for the life-extension effects observed in animal and human studies: Epitalon acts as a gene switch to activate the telomerase gene.