Telomeres

Chromosome Sentinels

Telomeres are specialized DNA–protein structures that protect the ends of chromosomes to maintain their integrity. They are chromosome sentinels. This book, written by multiple authors, presents current knowledge and the most recent discoveries relating to telomeres.

The first chapters describe telomere structures (DNA and proteins), organization, dynamics and replication in a range of organisms including ciliates, yeast and mammals. The following chapters cover mechanisms that maintain telomere length involving telomerase and Alternative Lengthening Telomeres (ALT) mechanisms. Interestingly, telomeres are transcribed into repetitive RNA called TERRA (Telomeric repeat-containing RNA), the state of the art regarding mammalian telomere transcripts is presented here.

Two chapters are dedicated to the description of how telomere biology impacts the development of cancer and how their disfunctions induce telomeropathies (telomere biology disorders). Finally, the book ends with a chapter presenting telomere and telomerase targeting agents as potential anticancer agents, a promising therapeutic approach.