Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

Replication in Eukaryotes

In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

High-risk molecular features may eclipse genomic complexity in predicting chronic lymphocytic leukemia outcomes; UK clinical trial insights.

Leukemia·2026
Same author

Telomere length heterogeneity in placenta revealed with high-resolution telomere length analysis.

Placenta·2017
Same author

Telomere fusion threshold identifies a poor prognostic subset of breast cancer patients.

Molecular oncology·2015
Same author

Signalling of DNA damage and cytokines across cell barriers exposed to nanoparticles depends on barrier thickness.

Nature nanotechnology·2011
Same author

Extreme telomere erosion in ATM-mutated and 11q-deleted CLL patients is independent of disease stage.

Leukemia·2011
Same author

Intra-allelic mutation at human telomeres.

Biochemical Society transactions·2006
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
08:34

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Mechanisms of telomeric instability.

D M Baird1

  • 1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. bairddm@cardiff.ac.uk

Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|February 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Short telomeres can lead to chromosome fusion and genomic instability, common in cancer. This review explores mechanisms causing sporadic telomeric deletions, a significant cell-intrinsic mutational process in normal human cells.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Telomeres are protective caps on chromosome ends, crucial for genomic stability.
  • Short telomeres trigger cellular senescence or telomere fusion, potentially leading to cancer-associated genomic rearrangements.
  • Telomere erosion occurs with cell division, but additional mechanisms cause sporadic deletions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review potential mechanisms driving sporadic telomeric deletions.
  • To highlight the role of these deletions as a cell-intrinsic mutational process.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on telomere biology and genomic instability.
  • Analysis of mechanisms contributing to telomere shortening and deletion events.

More Related Videos

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers
11:21

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
12:08

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
08:34

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers
11:21

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
12:08

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Main Results:

  • Telomere fusion, initiated by short telomeres, can cause anaphase-bridging and breakage-fusion-bridge cycles.
  • Sporadic telomeric deletions occur in normal human cells, independent of telomerase activity.
  • These deletions create fusion-competent telomeres, acting as a significant mutational mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Sporadic telomeric deletions are a critical, yet often overlooked, source of genomic instability.
  • Understanding these deletion mechanisms is vital for comprehending cancer development and aging.