Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
47.2K
Telomere maintenance: regulating hTERC fate through RNA modifications
Lisa Lirussi1,2, Hilde Nilsen1,2
1Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|November 7, 2019
Summary
Single-strand-selective monofunctional uracil-DNA glycosylase 1 (SMUG1) maintains telomere stability by regulating telomeric RNA (hTERC) levels. This enzyme
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Telomere maintenance is crucial for preventing genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer.
- Dysfunctional telomeres are implicated in various human diseases, including cancer.
- The telomeric RNA component (hTERC) plays a role in telomere structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Single-strand-selective monofunctional uracil-DNA glycosylase 1 (SMUG1) in telomere homeostasis.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which SMUG1 influences the stability of the telomeric RNA component (hTERC).
- To understand how SMUG1-mediated base modification recognition contributes to telomere regulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized molecular biology techniques to study SMUG1 activity at telomeres.
- Assessed the impact of SMUG1 on the stability of hTERC.
- Investigated the role of base modification recognition in SMUG1's function at telomeres.
Main Results:
- SMUG1 was found to promote telomere homeostasis.
- SMUG1 regulates the stability of the telomeric RNA component (hTERC).
- SMUG1-mediated recognition of base modifications fine-tunes hTERC levels.
Conclusions:
- SMUG1 is a key regulator of telomere homeostasis.
- SMUG1's function in stabilizing hTERC is essential for telomere maintenance.
- Targeting SMUG1 or its recognition pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:41Telomeres and Telomerase
26.6K
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...
26.6K
02:41Telomeres and Telomerase
6.8K
6.8K
01:29Replication in Eukaryotes
16.9K
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...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
16.9K
02:31Replication in Eukaryotes
202.2K
Overview
202.2K
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
4.2K
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...
4.2K
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
2.6K
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
2.6K