Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

RNA Structure01:23

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

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.
RNA Structure01:23

RNA Structure

Overview
The basic structure of RNA consists of a five-carbon sugar and one of four nitrogenous bases. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA): messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three RNA types consist of a...
RNA Structure01:19

RNA Structure

The basic structure of RNA consists of a string of ribonucleotides attached by phosphodiester bonds. Although most RNA is single-stranded, it can form complex secondary and tertiary structures. Such structures play essential roles in the regulation of transcription and translation.
Different Types of RNA Have the Same Basic Structure
There are three main types of ribonucleic acid (RNA) involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). All three...
Replication in Eukaryotes01:29

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...
Telomeres and Telomerase02:41

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

RNase P/MRP subunits chaperone telomerase holoenzyme assembly in fission yeast.

EMBO reports·2026
Same author

TARPON-A Telomere Analysis and Research Pipeline Optimized for Nanopore.

PLoS computational biology·2026
Same author

Speciation Genomics in the Tiger Whiptail Lizards (Aspidoscelis tigris Complex).

Genome biology and evolution·2025
Same author

Ancestral Chromosome-Level Assemblies Reveal Posthybridization Genome Evolution in the New Mexico Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus).

Genome biology and evolution·2025
Same author

<i>Schizosaccharomyces pombe</i> Telomerase RNA: Secondary Structure and Flexible-Scaffold Function.

Molecular and cellular biology·2025
Same author

LARP3, LARP7, and MePCE are involved in the early stage of human telomerase RNA biogenesis.

Nature communications·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
09:25

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Published on: July 14, 2011

S. pombe telomerase RNA: secondary structure and flexible-scaffold function.

Karen McMurdie1, Allison N Peeney2, Melissa A Mefford1,3

  • 1Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|March 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Researchers determined the secondary structure of fission yeast telomerase RNA (TER1), revealing key regions for telomere maintenance. A minimal TER1 construct retains catalytic activity, suggesting a flexible scaffold organization for the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex.

More Related Videos

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
08:26

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein

Published on: June 12, 2018

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers
11:21

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
09:25

In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Published on: July 14, 2011

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
08:26

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein

Published on: June 12, 2018

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers
11:21

Analyzing Telomeric Protein-DNA Interactions Using Single-Molecule Magnetic Tweezers

Published on: August 30, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Telomerase is crucial for eukaryotic genome stability, extending chromosome ends to counteract the end-replication problem.
  • The structure of telomerase RNA (TER1) in the important model organism *Schizosaccharomyces pombe* (fission yeast) remains largely unknown.
  • Understanding TER1 structure is vital for comprehending telomerase function and its role in preventing senescence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the secondary structure of the large fission yeast TER1 RNA.
  • To identify functionally important regions of TER1 for telomerase activity and telomere maintenance.
  • To investigate the organizational principles of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis and bioinformatic modeling to predict RNA secondary structure.
  • Genetic analysis using truncation mutants *in vivo* to assess functional importance.
  • Biochemical assays *in vitro* to test catalytic activity of modified TER1 constructs.

Main Results:

  • A detailed secondary structure model for the 1212 nt fission yeast TER1 RNA was determined.
  • Specific conserved regions of TER1 were found essential for telomere maintenance, while large portions were dispensable.
  • The essential three-way junction motif was shown to be functionally versatile within TER1.
  • A minimal TER1 construct (Mini-TER1) comprising the catalytic core and three-way junction reconstituted telomerase activity *in vitro* with TERT.

Conclusions:

  • TER1 functions as a flexible scaffold for the telomerase RNP, similar to budding yeast TLC1.
  • The secondary structure model provides insights into the physical and functional organization of fission yeast telomerase.
  • Conserved regions are critical for TER1 function, highlighting their importance in telomere maintenance across different yeast species.