Reverse transcriptase can stabilize or destabilize the genome.
Telomeres, the eukaryotic chromosome termini, are deoxyribonucleoprotein structures that distinguish natural chromosome ends from broken DNA. In most organisms, telomeres are extended by a reverse transcriptase (RT) with an integrated RNA template, telomerase; in Drosophila melanogaster, however, telomere-specific retrotransposons, HeT-A and TART transpose specifically to chromosome ends. Whether telomeres are extended by a telomerase or by retrotransposons, an RT is a key component. RT has been studied extensively, both for its important role in converting RNA genomes to DNA, which has great evolutionary impact, and as a therapeutic target in human retroviral diseases. Here we discuss a few important aspects of RT usage during retrotransposition and telomere elongation.
Haoudi
A
A
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Mason
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D016678:Genome; D018626:Retroelements / Q000235:genetics*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*
D018626:Retroelements; D019098:Telomerase