Cap-prevented recombination between terminal telomeric repeat arrays (telomere CPR) maintains telomeres in Kluyveromyces lactis lacking telomerase

Deletion of the telomerase RNA gene (TER1) in the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis results in gradual loss of telomeric repeats and progressively declining cell growth capability (growth senescence). We show that this initial growth senescence is characterized by abnormally large, defectively dividing cel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genes & development 1996-07, Vol.10 (14), p.1822-1834
Main Authors: McEachern, M J, Blackburn, E H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
DNA, Fungal - genetics
Gene Deletion
Genes, Fungal
Kluyveromyces - enzymology
Kluyveromyces - genetics
Kluyveromyces - growth & development
Kluyveromyces lactis
Models, Genetic
Recombination, Genetic
Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
RNA Caps - genetics
RNA, Fungal - genetics
Telomerase - genetics
Telomere - genetics
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Summary:Deletion of the telomerase RNA gene (TER1) in the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis results in gradual loss of telomeric repeats and progressively declining cell growth capability (growth senescence). We show that this initial growth senescence is characterized by abnormally large, defectively dividing cells and is delayed when cells initially contain elongated telomeres. However, cells that survive the initial catastrophic senescence emerge relatively frequently, and their subsequent growth without telomerase is surprisingly efficient. Survivors have lengthened telomeres, often much longer than wild type, but that are still subject to gradual shortening. Production of these postsenescence survivors is strongly dependent on the RAD52 gene. We propose that shortened, terminal telomeric repeat tracts become uncapped, promoting recombinational repair between them to regenerate lengthened telomeres in survivors. This process, which we term telomere cap-prevented recombination (CPR) may be a general alternative telomere maintenance pathway in eukaryotes.
ISSN:0890-9369
1549-5477
DOI:10.1101/gad.10.14.1822