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

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

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...

Translesion DNA Polymerases

Translesion DNA Polymerases

Translesion (TLS) polymerases rescue stalled DNA polymerases at sites of damaged bases by replacing the replicative polymerase and installing a nucleotide across the damaged site. Doing so, TLS allows additional time for the cell to repair the damage before resuming regular DNA replication.
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 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

TERRA -a calling card for telomerase.

Elena Smekalova¹, Peter Baumann

¹Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.

|October 1, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Telomeric DNA transcription was thought to inhibit telomerase. However, new research shows telomeric RNA at short telomeres actually delivers telomerase to the correct chromosome end.

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

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

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Published on: January 17, 2019

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

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Published on: July 14, 2011

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:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Cell Biology

Background:

Telomeres protect chromosome ends.
Telomerase is crucial for telomere maintenance.
Telomeric DNA transcription was previously believed to inhibit telomerase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of telomeric DNA transcription in telomerase regulation.
To explore the relationship between telomeric RNA and telomerase localization.
To understand telomere maintenance mechanisms at a molecular level.

Main Methods:

Live cell imaging techniques were employed.
The study focused on telomeric DNA and RNA dynamics.
Telomerase activity and localization were observed in real-time.

Main Results:

Telomeric RNA is preferentially generated at shorter telomeres.
This telomeric RNA actively delivers telomerase to the chromosome end.
Contrary to prior beliefs, transcription at telomeres is linked to telomerase recruitment.

Conclusions:

Telomeric RNA plays a key role in recruiting telomerase to telomeres.
Short telomeres may signal for increased telomeric RNA production to recruit telomerase.
This finding redefines the understanding of telomere maintenance and telomerase regulation.