Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

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.

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

PWO proteins are associated with PRC2 since their emergence in vascular plants.

The New phytologist·2026

Same author

The Missing Piece: Functional Telomerase Restored in the Beetle Model.

Genome biology and evolution·2026

Same author

Triazinyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives as hCA IX inhibitors: Design, synthesis, and activity determination using an optimized stop-flow methodology.

Bioorganic chemistry·2026

Same author

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Accompanying Anion-Dependent Changes of Cadmium Toxicity During Arabidopsis thaliana Development.

Plant, cell & environment·2026

Same author

Leishmania mexicana telomeres at high resolution: Ku80, TERT, and alternative lengthening mechanisms.

BMC genomics·2025

Same author

CRISPR-Cas-mediated heritable chromosome fusions in <i>Arabidopsis</i>.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

Hypomethylating drugs efficiently decrease cytosine methylation in telomeric DNA and activate telomerase without

Eva Majerová¹, Miloslava Fojtová, Iva Mozgová

¹Department of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, Faculty of Science and Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, Czech Republic.

Plant Molecular Biology

|August 26, 2011

Summary

Epigenetic changes like DNA methylation influence telomere length. In plant cells, hypomethylation activates telomerase but doesn't alter telomere length, suggesting other stability factors are at play.

More Related Videos

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

Published on: June 1, 2018

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Published on: August 5, 2022

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

Published on: June 1, 2018

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

Area of Science:

Plant molecular biology
Epigenetics
Telomere biology

Background:

Telomere homeostasis is crucial for genomic stability and is regulated by chromatin structure.
Repressive chromatin marks, such as DNA methylation, are known regulators of telomere and subtelomere function.
Previous studies in mouse cells showed that decreased subtelomeric methylation leads to telomere elongation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of DNA methylation in telomere regulation in plant cells (tobacco BY-2).
To determine if drug-induced hypomethylation affects telomerase activity and telomere length in plants.
To explore the interplay between epigenetic modifications, telomerase activity, and telomere length stability in plants.

Main Methods:

Treatment of tobacco BY-2 cells with hypomethylating drugs.
Quantification of 5-methylcytosine levels in subtelomeric, telomeric, and global DNA.
Assessment of telomerase activity.
Measurement of telomere lengths.

Main Results:

A significant proportion of cytosines are methylated in both telomeric and subtelomeric DNA of tobacco BY-2 cells.
Drug-induced hypomethylation reduced 5-methylcytosine levels across all tested DNA fractions.
Hypomethylation led to the activation of telomerase in plant cells.
Despite telomerase activation, telomere lengths remained unchanged, contrasting with findings in mouse cells.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, are involved in regulating telomerase activity in plant cells.
While hypomethylation activates telomerase, other factors can override this effect to maintain telomere length stability in plants.
This study highlights species-specific differences in telomere length regulation involving epigenetic control.