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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.
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Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Chromosome Structure

Chromosome Structure

A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
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Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Intramolecular i-Motif Structures of Telomeric DNA.

A T Phan¹, J L Leroy

¹a Groupe de Biophysique de l'Ecole Polytechnique et de l'UMR 7643 du CNRS , 91128 , Palaiseau , France.

Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics

|May 22, 2012

Summary

The study reveals dynamic motions in vertebrate telomere i-motif structures, crucial for understanding DNA folding and function. Modifications helped resolve i-motif dynamics and loop behavior.

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Genetics

Background:

The i-motif is an intercalated DNA structure formed by parallel duplexes stabilized by hemiprotonated C·C(+) pairs.
Intramolecular i-motifs can form from C-rich sequences found in centromeric and telomeric regions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structure and dynamics of a vertebrate telomere fragment (d(CCCTA(2)CCCTA(2)CCCTA(2)CCCT)) using NMR spectroscopy.
To elucidate the role of loop sequences and C-stretch lengths in i-motif topology and stability.

Main Methods:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to determine the three-dimensional structure.
Site-specific substitutions (T to U, C to 5-methylcytidine) were used to break pseudo-symmetry and improve spectral resolution.

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Analysis of dynamic motions on microsecond to millisecond timescales.

Main Results:

The d(CCCTA(2)CCCTA(2)CCCTA(2)CCCT) fragment forms an i-motif core with six intercalated C·C(+) pairs.
TA(2) linkers at one end loop across a narrow groove, extending the core via base stacking.
Dynamic motions were observed in the loops at the other end, involving switching between different structural states.
Substitutions allowed for the resolution of motions, revealing a flip of A18 around the glycosidic bond in a modified sequence.

Conclusions:

The study provides detailed structural and dynamic insights into vertebrate telomeric i-motif formation.
Loop dynamics and sequence variations significantly influence i-motif topology and stability.
Understanding these structures is vital for telomere biology and potential therapeutic applications.