Structure and function of telomeres

EH Blackburn - Nature, 1991 - nature.com
EH Blackburn
Nature, 1991nature.com
The DNA of telomeres—the terminal DNA-protein complexes of chromosomes—differs
notably from other DNA sequences in both structure and function. Recent work has
highlighted its remarkable mode of synthesis by the ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase,
telomerase1–4, as well as its ability to form unusual structures in vitro. Moreover, telomere
synthesis by telomerase has been shown to be essential for telomere maintenance and long-
term viability.
Abstract
The DNA of telomeres—the terminal DNA-protein complexes of chromosomes—differs notably from other DNA sequences in both structure and function. Recent work has highlighted its remarkable mode of synthesis by the ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase, telomerase1–4, as well as its ability to form unusual structures in vitro. Moreover, telomere synthesis by telomerase has been shown to be essential for telomere maintenance and long-term viability.
nature.com