A mutant with a defect in telomere elongation leads to senescence in yeast.
We describe a general assay designed to detect mutants of yeast that are defective for any of several aspects of telomere function. Using this assay, we have isolated a mutant that displays a progressive decrease in telomere length as well as an increased frequency of chromosome loss. This mutation defines a new gene, designated EST1 (for ever shorter telomeres). Null alleles of EST1 are not immediately inviable; instead, they have a senescence phenotype, due to the gradual loss of sequences essential for telomere function, leading to a progressive decrease in chromosomal stability and subsequent cell death.
Lundblad
V
V
Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Szostak
J W
JW
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002470:Cell Survival; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics*
D004247:DNA