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Telomeres: More than chromosomal non‐sticking ends
Author(s) -
Kierszenbaum Abraham L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2795(200009)57:1<2::aid-mrd2>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - telomere , biology , chromosome , eukaryotic chromosome fine structure , genetics , genome instability , chromosome instability , chromosome segregation , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , dna damage , gene
Telomeres are specialized natural ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that, contrary to the ends of broken chromosomes, are stable and do not fuse with the ends of other chromosomes. In addition, telomeres protect chromosomal ends from degradation, facilitate completion of chromosomal DNA replication, and contribute to chromosome positioning within nuclei. Telomeric DNA consists of repetitive sequences and specific associated proteins, including the telomere repeat‐binding factors TRF1 and TRF2. A lack of TRF2 enables end‐to‐end chromosome fusion. A structural disruption of telomeres not only causes chromosomal mechanical instability but also activates a programmed cell death cascade. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 57:2–3, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.