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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...

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

Replication in Eukaryotes

Replication in Eukaryotes

Chromosome Replication

Chromosome Replication

Before a cell can divide, it must accurately replicate all of its chromosomes, including the DNA and its associated histone and non-histone proteins. This process begins at numerous origins of replication during the S phase of the cell cycle in each of a cell’s chromosomes simultaneously. Certain nucleotides can act as origins of replication, but these sequences are not well defined - especially in complex, multi-cellular, eukaryotic species. The length of DNA that spans an origin...

Chromosome Structure

Chromosome Structure

A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...

Karyotyping

Karyotyping

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Telomeres and Telomerase.

Julia Promisel Cooper¹, Eros Lazzerini Denchi², Joachim Lingner³

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA julia.p.cooper@cuanschutz.edu eros.lazzerinidenchi@nih.gov joachim.lingner@epfl.ch hpickett@cmri.org.au.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

|February 9, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Telomeres are key to genome stability, aging, and disease. Understanding their maintenance by telomerase and Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) offers new therapeutic avenues for regeneration and age-related decline.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Cell Biology

Background:

Telomeres are crucial for genome stability, aging, and disease susceptibility.

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Recent advances illuminate telomere replication, protection, and repair mechanisms.

Telomere function impacts human lifespan, tissue renewal, and cancer evolution.