title: Telomere-end processing: mechanisms and regulation.
abstract: Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein complexes that provide protection to the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomeric DNA consists of tandemly repeated G-rich sequences that terminate with a 3' single-stranded overhang, which is important for telomere extension by the telomerase enzyme. This structure, as well as most of the proteins that specifically bind double and single-stranded telomeric DNA, are conserved from yeast to humans, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying telomere identity are based on common principles. The telomeric 3' overhang is generated by different events depending on whether the newly synthesized strand is the product of leading- or lagging-strand synthesis. Here, we review the mechanisms that regulate these processes at Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian telomeres.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martina
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falcettoni
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Longhese