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Telomerase is a true reverse transcriptase. A review

T R Cech1, T M Nakamura, J Lingner

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder 80309-0215, USA.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|February 19, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TRT) is essential for synthesizing telomeric DNA. This protein subunit, similar to retroviral enzymes, is crucial for chromosome maintenance in eukaryotes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Telomere synthesis at chromosome ends relies on the ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase.
  • The RNA subunit of telomerase, containing the DNA synthesis template, is known in many species.
  • The protein subunit responsible for catalyzing telomeric DNA extension was recently identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the protein subunit of telomerase responsible for DNA synthesis.
  • To understand the relationship between telomerase and other reverse transcriptase enzymes.
  • To elucidate the role of this protein subunit in eukaryotic chromosome maintenance.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of the telomerase protein subunit in Euplotes aediculatus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Sequence and functional analysis of the identified protein subunit.
  • Comparison with known retroviral and retrotransposon reverse transcriptases.

    • Main Results:

    • The protein subunit of telomerase, named Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TRT), was identified.
    • TRT shares sequence and functional characteristics with retroviral and retrotransposon reverse transcriptases.
    • This indicates a conserved protein structure essential for both viral replication and telomere maintenance.

    Conclusions:

    • The Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TRT) protein subunit is a key component of telomerase across diverse eukaryotes.
    • TRT represents a novel family of reverse transcriptases essential for chromosome integrity.
    • The findings highlight a remarkable convergence of protein machinery used in viral replication and fundamental cellular processes like telomere replication.