Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
09:25
In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
Published on: July 14, 2011
Structures of telomerase subunits provide functional insights
Vijay G Sekaran1, Joana Soares, Michael B Jarstfer
1Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|August 12, 2009
Summary
Telomerase, an enzyme crucial for cellular immortality, is a unique reverse transcriptase with unusual structural and mechanistic properties. Recent structural studies offer new insights into telomerase biochemistry and function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Telomerase plays a key role in cellular proliferation and aging by replenishing telomeric DNA.
- It functions as a reverse transcriptase, essential for overcoming a major hurdle in cellular immortalization.
- Telomerase exhibits unique characteristics, including stable template association and multi-copy reverse transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on telomerase structure and mechanism.
- To highlight new insights into the roles of telomerase in human biology.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on telomerase.
- Analysis of structural biology findings, including high-resolution structures.
Main Results:
- Recent structural biology advances provide new perspectives on telomerase biochemistry.
- High-resolution structures of catalytic subunits from various organisms have been elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Structural insights into telomerase are advancing our understanding of its complex biochemistry.
- New structural data present novel questions and avenues for future research into telomerase function.
Related Concept Videos
02:41Telomeres 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.
02:41Telomeres 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.
01:29Replication 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...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
02:31Replication in Eukaryotes
Overview
01:19RNA Structure
The basic structure of RNA consists of a string of ribonucleotides attached by phosphodiester bonds. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
01:23RNA Structure
Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...