Abstract
Recent advances in our understanding of the specialized chromatin structure at telomeres, the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, have focused on three separate areas: replication of telomeres through the coordinated action of conventional DNA polymerases and the telomerase enzyme, protection of the chromosome end from DNA damage checkpoint sensors and DNA-repair processes, and the discovery of a novel deacetylase enzyme (Sir2p) required for the establishment and maintenance of telomeric heterochromatin. Although the number of proteins and the complexity of their interactions at telomeres continues to grow, a picture of at least some of the major players and mechanisms underlying telomere replication, end 'capping' and chromatin assembly is beginning to emerge.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Chromatin / metabolism
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Chromatin / physiology*
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DNA Damage
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DNA Replication
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DNA, Fungal / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
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Protein Conformation
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Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae*
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Sirtuin 2
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Sirtuins
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Telomerase / chemistry
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Telomerase / genetics
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Telomerase / metabolism
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Telomere / metabolism
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Telomere / physiology*
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Trans-Activators / metabolism
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Yeasts / genetics
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Yeasts / metabolism
Substances
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Chromatin
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DNA, Fungal
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Silent Information Regulator Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Trans-Activators
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Telomerase
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SIR2 protein, S cerevisiae
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Sirtuin 2
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Sirtuins
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Histone Deacetylases