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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.

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...

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...

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.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Published on: January 17, 2019

Telomeres and disease: enter TERRA.

André Maicher¹, Lisa Kastner, Brian Luke

¹Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg, DKFZ-ZMBH Allianz, Heidelberg, Germany.

|May 24, 2012

Summary

Telomere dysfunction causes cellular senescence and diseases like cancer. Increased TElomeric Repeat containing RNA (TERRA) transcription correlates with telomere shortening and dysfunction, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Molecular Biology
Epigenetics

Background:

Telomere dysfunction leads to cellular senescence, impaired tissue repair, and diseases like cancer.
Telomere syndromes are degenerative disorders linked to compromised telomere maintenance.
Genomic instability from telomere dysfunction contributes to cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline principles of telomere dysfunction-associated diseases.
To discuss known links between TElomeric Repeat containing RNA (TERRA) and disease.
To explore TERRA transcription as a potential therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on telomere biology and disease.
Analysis of the role of long non-coding RNAs, specifically TERRA.

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Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Published on: January 17, 2019

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Speculative discussion on therapeutic strategies targeting TERRA.

Main Results:

Increased TERRA transcription is generally associated with telomere shortening.
TERRA originates from sub-telomeric regions and extends into telomeres.
Dysfunctional telomeres compromise cellular replicative capacity.

Conclusions:

Telomere maintenance is crucial for chromosomal stability and cellular health.
TERRA transcription is implicated in telomere dysfunction and related diseases.
Targeting TERRA transcription may offer novel therapeutic avenues for telomere syndromes and cancer.