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Molecular diversity of telomeric sequences

Cohn, Marita LU (2008)
Abstract
Telomeric DNA generally comprises a repetitive, noncoding sequence which terminates in a single‑stranded extension, the 3' overhang. Although these species‑specific repeats show a large diversity in sequence and length, they comprise some specific characteristic conserved features. Therefore, analyses of the telomeric repeats of various organisms have delivered important insights concerning the origin and evolution of telomere structures. The canonical repeats are synthesized onto the 3' overhangs by the specialized telomerase enzyme. Although the general feature of the telomerase is to produce homogeneous repeats, variant repeats and irregular sequences are found in many species. In this chapter some aspects of the conserving and... (More)
Telomeric DNA generally comprises a repetitive, noncoding sequence which terminates in a single‑stranded extension, the 3' overhang. Although these species‑specific repeats show a large diversity in sequence and length, they comprise some specific characteristic conserved features. Therefore, analyses of the telomeric repeats of various organisms have delivered important insights concerning the origin and evolution of telomere structures. The canonical repeats are synthesized onto the 3' overhangs by the specialized telomerase enzyme. Although the general feature of the telomerase is to produce homogeneous repeats, variant repeats and irregular sequences are found in many species. In this chapter some aspects of the conserving and diverging evolutionary forces on the telomeric sequences are discussed. Proteins specifically binding to the telomeric sequences are of importance for nucleating the cap structure and they regulate telomere homeostasis and telomere end protection. Since a conserved binding specificity has been shown in several homologues of both single‑stranded and double‑stranded telomere‑binding proteins, their binding may be considered a major selective force operating on telomeric DNA sequences. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
in press
subject
host publication
Origin and evolution of telomeres
editor
Nosek, Jozef and Tomaska, Lubomir
publisher
Landes Bioscience
ISBN
978-1-58706-309-1
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c432c3a5-b959-42df-853f-24228f291052 (old id 818342)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:47:38
date last changed
2021-01-28 10:06:12
@inbook{c432c3a5-b959-42df-853f-24228f291052,
  abstract     = {{Telomeric DNA generally comprises a repetitive, noncoding sequence which terminates in a single‑stranded extension, the 3' overhang. Although these species‑specific repeats show a large diversity in sequence and length, they comprise some specific characteristic conserved features. Therefore, analyses of the telomeric repeats of various organisms have delivered important insights concerning the origin and evolution of telomere structures. The canonical repeats are synthesized onto the 3' overhangs by the specialized telomerase enzyme. Although the general feature of the telomerase is to produce homogeneous repeats, variant repeats and irregular sequences are found in many species. In this chapter some aspects of the conserving and diverging evolutionary forces on the telomeric sequences are discussed. Proteins specifically binding to the telomeric sequences are of importance for nucleating the cap structure and they regulate telomere homeostasis and telomere end protection. Since a conserved binding specificity has been shown in several homologues of both single‑stranded and double‑stranded telomere‑binding proteins, their binding may be considered a major selective force operating on telomeric DNA sequences.}},
  author       = {{Cohn, Marita}},
  booktitle    = {{Origin and evolution of telomeres}},
  editor       = {{Nosek, Jozef and Tomaska, Lubomir}},
  isbn         = {{978-1-58706-309-1}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Landes Bioscience}},
  title        = {{Molecular diversity of telomeric sequences}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}