Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Therapeutic Approaches for Telomere Biology Disorders

Telomeres are nucleo-protein structures located at the end of chromosomes that protect them from degradation. Telomeres length is maintained by the activity of the telomerase complex. These structures are protected by a specialized protein complex named shelterin. In the absence of telomerase activi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Perona, Rosario
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published IntechOpen 01.01.2016
Subjects
Genetics
Medical
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Summary:Telomeres are nucleo-protein structures located at the end of chromosomes that protect them from degradation. Telomeres length is maintained by the activity of the telomerase complex. These structures are protected by a specialized protein complex named shelterin. In the absence of telomerase activity and/or protection telomeres are shortened after each round of DNA replication. When a critical size is reached, telomeres are recognized as damaged DNA by the cell p53-dependent DNA-repair system. Persistent activation of this pathway finally results in cell apoptosis or senescence.
Bibliography:MODID-6d55e02e354:IntechOpen
ISBN:9535127527
9789535127529
DOI:10.5772/65353