Telomeres are essential nucleoprotein structures at the very ends of linear eukaryote chromosomes. They shelter the terminal genome territories against degradation and prevent the natural chromosome ends from being recognized by repair mechanisms as double-strand DNA breaks.There are two basic characteristics of telomeric DNA, its sequence and its length. The telomere sequence is important as a "landing area" for specific telomere-binding proteins, which function as signals and moderate the interactions required for correct telomere function. While the sequence forms the proper "landing surface" of telomeric DNA, its length is similarly important. Too short or exceptionally long telomere DNA cannot perform its function properly. In this chapter, methods for the investigation of these two basic telomere DNA characteristics are described, namely, telomere motif identification and telomere length measurement.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3226-0_18DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

telomere dna
12
sequence length
8
length telomere
8
telomeric dna
8
telomere
7
dna
6
identification sequence
4
length
4
dna telomeres
4
telomeres essential
4

Similar Publications

Pharmacological blockade of infection chronification modulates oxy-inflammation and prevents the activation of stress-induced premature senescence markers in schistosomiasis.

Microb Pathog

December 2024

Departamento de Biologia Animal (DBA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal (PPGBA), Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage are observed in schistosomiasis and premature aging. However, the potential of these events to trigger stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) throughout schistosomiasis progression remains overlooked, especially in response to the first-line pharmacological treatment. Thus, we investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and SIPS sentinel markers in untreated Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice and those receiving praziquantel (Pz)-based reference treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Identification of modulators of the ALT pathway through a native FISH-based optical screen.

Cell Rep

December 2024

Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address:

A significant portion of human cancers utilize a recombination-based pathway, alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), to extend telomeres. To gain further insights into this pathway, we developed a high-throughput imaging-based screen named TAILS (telomeric ALT in situ localization screen) to identify genes that either promote or inhibit ALT activity. Screening over 1,000 genes implicated in DNA transactions, TAILS reveals both well-established and putative ALT modulators.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Design and synthesis of novel structures with anti-tumor effects: Targeting telomere G-quadruplex and hTERT.

Bioorg Med Chem Lett

December 2024

Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, HarBin Medical University, Harbin, PR China. Electronic address:

The telomeric G-quadruplex (G4) along with the telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT are crucial in the extension of telomeres. Tumor cells can establish replicative immortality by activating the telomere-maintenance mechanism (TMM).Small molecule ligands can limit cancer telomere lengthening by by targeting at G4 and hTERT.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

RTEL1 is upregulated in gastric cancer and promotes tumor growth.

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

December 2024

Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 200 Hui He Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214062, China.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. It is typically diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to a poor prognosis. GC is a highly heterogeneous disease and its progression is associated with complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Galliformes and Anseriformes are two branches of the Galloanserae group, basal to other Neognathae. In contrast to Galliformes, Anseriformes have not been thoroughly researched by cytogenetic methods. This report is focused on representatives of Anseriformes and the evolution of their chromosome sets.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!