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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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
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.
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.
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