The telomerase reverse transcriptase is limiting and necessary for telomerase function in vivo

Y. Liu, B. E. Snow, M. P. Hande, D. Yeung, N. J. Erdmann, A. Wakeham, A. Itie, D. P. Siderovski, P. M. Lansdorp, M. O. Robinson, L. Harrington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mammalian telomerase is essential for the maintenance of telomere length [1-5]. Its catalytic core comprises a reverse transcriptase component (TERT) and an RNA component. While the biochemical role of mammalian TERT is well established [6-11], it is unknown whether it is sufficient for telomere-length maintenance, chromosome stability or other cellular processes. Cells from mice in which the mTert gene had been disrupted showed progressive loss of telomere DNA, a phenotype similar to cells in which the gene encoding the telomerase RNA component (mTR) has been disrupted [1,12]. On prolonged growth, mTert-deficient embryonic stem (ES) cells exhibited genomic instability, aneuploidy and telomeric fusions. ES cells heterozygous for the mTert disruption also showed telomere attrition, a phenotype that differs from heterozygous mTR cells [12]. Thus, telomere maintenance in mammals is carried out by a single, limiting TERT.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1459-1462
Number of pages4
JournalCurrent Biology
Volume10
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Nov 2000

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The telomerase reverse transcriptase is limiting and necessary for telomerase function in vivo'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this