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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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 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

Short telomeres flirt with stem cell commitment.

¹Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. allsopp@hawaii.edu

|April 9, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with short telomeres show unstable differentiation. This instability is linked to changes in DNA methylation, impacting cell fate decisions.

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

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Last Updated: May 12, 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

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Epigenetics
Stem cell research

Background:

Telomerase is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) for maintenance.
The role of telomere length in ESC lineage commitment remains unclear.

Discussion:

Short telomeres in ESCs lead to unstable differentiation.
Altered DNA methylation patterns are induced by short telomeres during differentiation.
This suggests a link between telomere maintenance and epigenetic regulation in stem cell fate.

Key Insights:

Telomere length critically influences ESC differentiation stability.
Short telomeres trigger epigenetic alterations, specifically DNA methylation changes.
This impacts the ability of ESCs to commit to specific lineages.

Outlook:

Further research into telomere length regulation and its epigenetic consequences in stem cells.
Potential therapeutic strategies targeting telomere length or DNA methylation for regenerative medicine.
Understanding these mechanisms could elucidate developmental processes and aging.