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Telomeres and Telomerase

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 Telomerase

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.

Replication in Eukaryotes

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...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replicative Cell Senescence

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...

Replicative Cell Senescence

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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

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

Published on: May 22, 2013

Identity crisis when telomeres left unprotected.

Yun Wu¹, Virginia A Zakian

¹Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. yunwu@princeton.edu

Journal of Molecular Cell Biology

|October 7, 2009

Summary

Loss of shelterin triggers DNA damage response. The DNA repair protein Mre11 is crucial for uncapped telomere processing, ATM signaling, and homologous recombination, as detailed in a Nature study.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Cell Biology

Background:

Shelterin components like TRF2 and POT1a-TPP1 protect chromosome ends (telomeres).
Loss of these components activates the DNA damage response (DDR) and aberrant DNA repair.
Uncapped telomeres present a significant challenge to genomic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of the DNA repair protein Mre11 at uncapped telomeres.
To elucidate Mre11's contribution to specific events following telomere uncapping.

Main Methods:

Utilized molecular biology techniques to study DNA repair pathways.
Investigated the interaction between Mre11 and telomeric elements.
Examined ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-dependent signaling cascades.

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Published on: July 10, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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

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

Published on: May 22, 2013

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization

Published on: July 10, 2017

Main Results:

Mre11 plays a multifaceted role at uncapped telomeres.
Mre11 is involved in processing the G-rich telomeric strand.
Mre11 contributes to homologous recombination (HR) at telomeres.

Conclusions:

Mre11 is a key player in the cellular response to telomere uncapping.
Understanding Mre11's function is vital for comprehending telomere maintenance and genomic integrity.