title: Molecular mechanisms of activity and derepression of alternative lengthening of telomeres.
abstract: Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) involves homology-directed telomere synthesis. This multistep process is facilitated by loss of the ATRX or DAXX chromatin-remodeling factors and by abnormalities of the telomere nucleoprotein architecture, including altered DNA sequence and decreased TRF2 saturation. Induction of telomere-specific DNA damage triggers homology-directed searches, and NuRD-ZNF827 protein-protein interactions provide a platform for the telomeric recruitment of homologous recombination (HR) proteins. Telomere lengthening proceeds by strand exchange and template-driven DNA synthesis, which culminates in dissolution of HR intermediates.
authors.affiliation: Telomere Length Regulation Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Hilda A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pickett
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Roger R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6302-6107
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Reddel
mesh_terms: D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism; D059765:Homologous Recombination; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000378:metabolism*; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D004265:DNA Helicases