Structure-function relationships in telomerase genes.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) subunit is crucial for telomere maintenance, cellular aging, and cancer development.
• Understanding TERT structure and function is key to addressing age-related diseases and cancer.
• Existing research provides extensive data on TERT across various organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated overview of TERT gene structure, alternative splicing, and associated functions.
• To analyze the applicability of TERT findings across different species and model organisms.
• To discuss the evolutionary context of TERT functional subdomains.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of nucleotide databases for TERT cDNA sequences (>90 full-length).
• Analysis of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experimental data on TERT structure and function.
• Comparative analysis of TERT features across diverse model organisms.

Main Results:

• Detailed examination of TERT gene structures and diverse alternative splicing products.
• Compilation of extensive structural and functional data for TERT from various species.
• Identification of conserved and species-specific TERT features and functional subdomains.

Conclusions:

• TERT's fundamental role in genome stability, aging, and cancer is confirmed.
• Comparative analysis reveals both universal and species-specific characteristics of TERT.
• Understanding TERT evolution provides insights into its diverse functions and potential therapeutic targets.