ROLE OF TELOMERIC PROTEIN COMPLEX AND TELOMERIC RNA IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF DROSOPHILA

Investigation of the role of the telomeric complex during oogenesis and early development is important for understanding the mechanisms controlling the integrity of the genetic information. Using Drosophila, as a model, we examine the features of the telomeres in the female germ cells and early embryonic development. Similarities and differences between telomeric factors, forming a protective telomeric complex in somatic and germ tissues will be discussed in this review. Germline knockdown of telomeric proteins led to chromosome fusions and different mitotic chromosome defects in the early stages of embryogenesis. It was found that depletion of telomeric factors caused accumulation of abundant telomeric RNA that was localized near the centrosome, microtubule organizing center, during syncytial stage of early embryogenesis. We suggest that telomeric transcripts may play a role in the destruction of the mitotic apparatus upon telomere dysfunction condition. Our data allow us to take a new look at the possible functions of telomeric RNA.