title: Telomere structure, replication and length maintenance.
abstract: Telomeres are the termini of linear eukaryotic chromosomes consisting of tandem repeats of DNA and proteins that bind to these repeat sequences. Telomeres ensure the complete replication of chromosome ends, impart protection to ends from nucleolytic degradation, end-to-end fusion, and guide the localization of chromosomes within the nucleus. In addition, a combination of genetic, biochemical, and molecular biological approaches have implicated key roles for telomeres in diverse cellular processes such as regulation of gene expression, cell division, cell senescence, and cancer. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the organization of telomeres, telomere replication, proteins that bind telomeric DNA, and the establishment of telomere length equilibrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muniyappa
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kironmai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D004261:DNA Replication; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D011487:Protein Conformation; D019098:Telomerase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D019098:Telomerase