Telomere repeat binding factors: keeping the ends in check

Per definition, a linear chromosome contains two ends, two sites, which by analogy to double-stranded breaks, might be expected to induce cell cycle checkpoints. The fact that cells divide without inducing such checkpoints suggests that telomeres, the natural ends of linear chromosomes, have the abi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancer letters 2003-05, Vol.194 (2), p.189-197
Main Author: Karlseder, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Cell cycle
Cell Cycle - genetics
Cell division
Cellular Senescence - genetics
Charitable foundations
Checkpoint
Chromosomes
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA Damage
End protection
Humans
Immortalization
Mammals
Proteins
Senescence
T loop
Telomerase
Telomerase - genetics
Telomere
Telomere - genetics
Telomere capping
Telomere repeat factor
Telomere-Binding Proteins - genetics
Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 - genetics
Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2 - genetics
TRF2
Tumorigenesis
Yeast
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Summary:Per definition, a linear chromosome contains two ends, two sites, which by analogy to double-stranded breaks, might be expected to induce cell cycle checkpoints. The fact that cells divide without inducing such checkpoints suggests that telomeres, the natural ends of linear chromosomes, have the ability to suppress checkpoint activation. This suppression takes place at a number of levels. The TTAGGG repeats of human telomeric DNA recruit telomere specific proteins, among them the telomere repeat binding factors TRF1 and TRF2. These proteins, along with their interaction partners, reorganize the linear chromosome end into a t loop, a protected structure, which hides the very end of the chromosome. Here it is discussed how mammalian telomeres differ from DNA breaks, and what methods they use to prevent checkpoint activation.
ISSN:0304-3835
1872-7980
DOI:10.1016/S0304-3835(02)00706-1