Why do repetitive DNA sequences tend to expand over time, as one ages?
Sequences of DNA are repeated and present in many copies in the genome which do not code for protein but are essential for replication of genome and accurate transmission to progeny cells. These sequences are knows as repetitive sequences, and the larger number of these repeats is associated with an earlier age at onset.
The telomers consists of repetitive sequences and the length of the telomere is maximum at birth and decreases with increasing age and therefore, the telomers considered as a biomarker of chronological aging. The repeat copy number in sequence can expand through a unique form of mutation process, the dynamic mutation. And this increases over time.
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