title: RNA-template dependent de novo telomere addition.
abstract: De novo addition of telomeric sequences can occur at broken chromosomes and must be well controlled, which is essential during programmed DNA reorganization processes. In ciliated protozoa an extreme form of DNA-reorganization is observed during macronuclear differentiation after sexual reproduction leading to the elimination of specific parts of the germline genome. Regulating these processes involves small noncoding RNAs, but in addition DNA-reordering, excision and amplification require RNA templates deriving from the parental macronucleus. We show that these putative RNA templates can carry telomeric repeats. Microinjection of RNA templates carrying modified telomeres into the developing macronucleus leads to modified telomeres in vegetative cells, providing strong evidence, that de novo addition of telomeres depends on a telomere-containing transcript from the parental macronucleus.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Cell Biology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University , Witten , Germany.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuhrmann
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Cell Biology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University , Witten , Germany.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pediatrics , HELIOS Medical Center Wuppertal, Center for Clinical & Translational Research (CCTR), Center for Biomedical Education & Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University , Wuppertal , Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick Philipp
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pediatrics , HELIOS Medical Center Wuppertal, Center for Clinical & Translational Research (CCTR), Center for Biomedical Education & Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University , Wuppertal , Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Postberg
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Cell Biology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University , Witten , Germany.
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lipps
mesh_terms: D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004261:DNA Replication; D005784:Gene Amplification; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008954:Models, Biological; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013698:Templates, Genetic
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D012313:RNA
keywords: Noncoding RNA; Stylonychia lemnae; telomere addition; transgenerational communication