Introduction to Telomeres and Telomerase.
Telomeres are ends of chromosomes that play an important part in the biology of eukaryotic cells. Continued optimization and development of technologies have enabled researchers to probe the mechanisms of telomere maintenance in ever expanding areas. A combination of molecular, genetic, proteomic, and biochemical approaches has revealed the complex and coordinated action of telomerase and telomere-associated proteins. The length and integrity of telomeres are maintained to prevent telomere dysfunction, which has been linked to senescence, aging, disease, and cancer. The tools and assays used to study telomeres today have helped assemble a more detailed, high-resolution picture of the various players and pathways at work at the telomeres.
Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. songyang@bcm.edu.
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Songyang
D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016615:Telomere / Q000378:metabolism*
D019098:Telomerase
Telomerase; Telomere; Telomere dysfunction; Telomere interactome; Telomere length; Telomere protection