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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...
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...
Replication in Eukaryotes02:31

Replication in Eukaryotes

Overview
Multi-species Conserved Sequences02:51

Multi-species Conserved Sequences

Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale  studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...

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Mammalian CST averts replication failure by preventing G-quadruplex accumulation.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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

Conservation of telomere protein complexes: shuffling through evolution.

Benjamin R Linger1, Carolyn M Price

  • 1Department of Cancer and Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA.

Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|October 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Telomere protein complexes, like yeast CST and mammalian shelterin, are conserved across many species, though their exact structures and components vary. Evolution has led to species-specific adaptations, including subunit loss or novel functions for duplicated genes.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
09:25

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Published on: July 14, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Telomere protein evolution has historically made ortholog identification challenging.
  • Previous assumptions suggested limited overlap in telomere protein sets across eukaryotic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conserved nature and species-specific variations of telomere protein complexes.
  • To understand the evolutionary dynamics of telomere protein composition and function.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of telomere protein components across diverse species.
  • Identification of orthologs and paralogs of telomere-associated proteins.
  • Examination of evolutionary events such as subunit loss and gene duplication.

Main Results:

  • Versions of the budding yeast CST complex and mammalian shelterin are found in multiple phyla.
  • Functional conservation of telomere protein complexes is evident despite variations in subunit composition and architecture.
  • Species-specific adaptations include subunit loss, complex migration, and novel functions for duplicated genes.

Conclusions:

  • Telomere protein complexes exhibit a greater degree of conservation than previously thought.
  • Evolutionary processes drive significant species-specific diversification in telomere maintenance mechanisms.
  • Understanding these variations is crucial for a comprehensive view of telomere biology across eukaryotes.