Final answer:
Telomerase is typically inactive in autosomal somatic cells, but is present in germ cells, adult stem cells, and some cancer cells. Its role has been studied in the context of aging and regenerative medicine, where reactivation in certain model organisms has reversed age-related conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autosomal cells predominantly lack telomerase activity. However, telomerase is active in germ cells, adult stem cells, and certain cancer cells. The presence of telomerase in cells is closely related to cellular aging processes and has been explored for its potential in regenerative medicine.
While telomerase has been found in HeLa cells, and is necessary for the rapid proliferation of cells in human embryos, it is generally not active in adult somatic cells. This is significant, as telomere shortening in somatic cells—due to the lack of telomerase—is associated with aging. In adult somatic cells that do divide, telomeres shorten progressively with each replication cycle.
In 2010, groundbreaking research showed that telomerase reactivation in telomerase-deficient mice could reverse age-related conditions, suggesting a potential application for human age-related diseases. This finding kindled hope that telomerase activation could serve as a therapeutic target for both aging and cancer, as cancer cells show increased telomerase activity.