Chromatin regulation and non-coding RNAs at mammalian telomeres

In eukaryotes, terminal chromosome repeats are bound by a specialized nucleoprotein complex that controls telomere length and protects chromosome ends from DNA repair and degradation. In mammals the “shelterin” complex mediates these central functions at telomeres. In the recent years it has become evident that also the heterochromatic structure of mammalian telomeres is implicated in telomere length regulation. Impaired telomeric chromatin compaction results in a loss of telomere length control. Progressive telomere shortening affects chromatin compaction at telomeric and subtelomeric repeats and activates alternative telomere maintenance mechanisms. Dynamics of chromatin structure of telomeres during early mammalian development and nuclear reprogramming further indicates a central role of telomeric heterochromatin in organismal development. In addition, the recent discovery that telomeres are transcribed, giving rise to UUAGGG-repeat containing TelRNAs/TERRA, opens a new level of chromatin regulation at telomeres. Understanding the links between the epigenetic status of telomeres, TERRA/TelRNA and telomere homeostasis will open new avenues for our understanding of organismal development, cancer and ageing.     

TERRA介导的端粒维持

真核细胞线状染色体末端特殊结构被称为端粒,而端粒维持对于生命体来说具有十分重要的意义,其维持机制也十分复杂.端粒酶可以通过其具有的特殊逆转录酶特性,利用自身的RNA模板(TERC)以及具有催化功能的蛋白质亚基(TERT)延长端粒,维持其长度.本文着重综述端粒TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNA)对端粒维持的影响及其作用机制.首先介绍端粒维持与细胞存活老化之间的关系;其次,阐述TERRA的结构及其转录特性,TERRA依赖的DNA∶RNA杂合体和R-loop形成和结构特点,TERRA结合蛋白及其作用;进而讨论依赖于TERRA的端粒维护分子机制以及在生命过程中的意义.