Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
07:55
A Deep-sequencing-assisted, Spontaneous Suppressor Screen in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Published on: March 7, 2019
The telomeric transcriptome: from fission yeast to mammals
1Institute of Biochemistry (IBC), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), Schafmattstrasse 18, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|April 17, 2012
Summary
The telomeric transcriptome, including telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), is transcribed from chromosome ends. Its function remains unclear, but it may play a role in DNA damage response and human diseases.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular Biology
- * Genetics
- * Cell Biology
Background:
- * Eukaryotic chromosome ends feature a unique transcriptome, including telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA).
- * The precise functions of this telomeric transcriptome are not fully understood.
- * Telomere integrity and heterochromatic state influence telomere transcriptional activity, but not telomere length.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review the current knowledge on the composition, biogenesis, and regulation of the telomeric transcriptome.
- * To propose a model where TERRA is involved in the DNA damage response.
- * To discuss the potential role of telomere transcription in human pathologies.
Main Methods:
- * Literature review of existing experimental evidence.
- * Synthesis of data from yeast to human studies.
- * Model proposal for TERRA function in DNA damage response.
Main Results:
- * Telomere transcription is altered when telomere integrity or heterochromatin is disrupted.
- * Telomere length does not appear to affect telomere transcription.
- * TERRA may be a component of the DNA damage response pathway.
Conclusions:
- * The telomeric transcriptome, particularly TERRA, is dynamically regulated and linked to telomere status.
- * TERRA's role in DNA damage response warrants further investigation.
- * Dysregulation of telomere transcription could contribute to human disease development.
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
02:15Replicative 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...
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...