Abstract
Adaptative response to stress is a strategy conserved across evolution to promote survival. In this context, the groundbreaking findings of Miroslav Radman on the adaptative value of changing mutation rates opened new avenues in our understanding of stress response. Inspired by this work, we explore here the putative beneficial effects of changing the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, the telomeres, in response to stress. We first summarize basic principles in telomere biology and then describe how various types of stress can alter telomere structure and functions. Finally, we discuss the hypothesis of stress-induced telomere signaling with hormetic effects.
Highlights
To survive and reproduce, living organisms must maintain homeostasis both in unchallenged and challenged contexts
To facilitate the survival of a species, whether it be to respond to a replication blockade or to a stressful environment, it is better to rapidly evolve by generating more mutations, some being possibly lethal, than to die immediately. We believe that this principle applies to the complex dynamics of telomeres in eukaryotes, which become altered in response to stress
telomere DNA length (TL) shortening is greater in human mothers with chronically ill children [61], showing that care-related stress is directly associated with telomere dynamics
Summary
To survive and reproduce, living organisms must maintain homeostasis both in unchallenged (normal) and challenged (stressful) contexts This requires the evolution of powerful stress response mechanisms adapted to a particular ecosystem and to regular environmental fluctuations. To facilitate the survival of a species, whether it be to respond to a replication blockade or to a stressful environment, it is better to rapidly evolve by generating more mutations, some being possibly lethal, than to die immediately. We believe that this principle applies to the complex dynamics of telomeres in eukaryotes, which become altered in response to stress. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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