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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
Published on: June 12, 2018
Non-telomeric activities of telomerase
Jana Majerská1, Eva Sýkorová, Jiří Fajkus
1Department of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University and Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic. fajkus@sci.muni.cz.
Molecular Biosystems
|February 2, 2011
Summary
Telomerase performs crucial roles beyond telomere elongation, including DNA repair and gene regulation. These telomere-independent functions suggest new research avenues for telomerase (TERT) and its RNA component (hTR).
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Telomerase is primarily known for telomere elongation.
- Emerging evidence indicates telomerase has functions beyond telomere maintenance.
- These novel roles are critical for cellular processes and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the telomere-independent functions of telomerase.
- To investigate the roles of telomerase subunits (hTR and hTERT) in cellular processes.
- To highlight new research perspectives for telomerase.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression data.
- Review of recent scientific literature on telomerase functions.
- Investigation of telomerase's interaction with DNA repair and RNA interference pathways.
Main Results:
- Telomerase exhibits telomere-independent anti-apoptotic, cytoprotective, and pro-proliferative effects.
- Telomerase protects mitochondrial DNA from oxidative stress.
- hTERT modulates the expression of approximately 300 genes, impacting cell cycle, proliferation, and differentiation.
- Telomerase subunits (hTR and hTERT) independently influence DNA damage response.
- Telomerase possesses RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, suggesting a role in RNA interference.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase has diverse cellular functions independent of telomere elongation.
- Telomerase subunits play significant roles in DNA repair and gene regulation.
- New research directions for telomerase involve its non-canonical activities, including RNA interference and mitochondrial protection.
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