Telomerase is an enzyme that serves the role of extending the telomeres of the chromosomes. It is expressed in those cells which have a capability of reversing the shortening of the telomeres. Telomerase is an enzyme that uses RNA as a template and forms DNA and hence is known as an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase.
Telomerase performs its role by getting bound to the RNA molecule that is composed of a sequence complementary to the telomere. It then uses the complementary RNA as a template and adds the nucleotides to the strand of telomeric DNA. The germ cells and the adult stem cells have to undergo many divisions so telomerase is usually active in these types of cells.
Review the concept of an RNA world described in Section 17.
How many times would telomerase have to bind to a different site
What enzymatic features of DNA polymerase prevent it from replicating one of
As shown in Figure 11.24, telomerase attaches additional DNA
Telomeres contain a 3′ overhang region, as shown in Figure
