Open AccessDecreased expression of TERT and telomeric proteins as human ovaries age may cause telomere shortening
Author(s) -
Fatma Uysal,
Esra Gozde Kosebent,
Havva Serap Toru,
Saffet Öztürk
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of assisted reproduction and genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1573-7330
pISSN - 1058-0468
DOI - 10.1007/s10815-020-01932-1
Subject(s) - telomere , biology , telomere binding protein , telomerase , andrology , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , genetics , dna binding protein , gene , transcription factor , medicine
Telomeres are repetitive sequences localized at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes comprising noncoding DNA and telomere-binding proteins. TRF1 and TRF2 both bind to the double-stranded telomeric DNA to regulate its length throughout the lifespan of eukaryotic cells. POT1 interacts with single-stranded telomeric DNA and contributes to protecting genomic integrity. Previous studies have shown that telomeres gradually shorten as ovaries age, coinciding with fertility loss. However, the molecular background of telomere shortening with ovarian aging is not fully understood.