Drosophila telomeres: the non-telomerase alternative

Chromosome Res. 2005;13(5):431-41. doi: 10.1007/s10577-005-0992-7.

Abstract

In most eukaryotes, telomeres are composed of simple repetitive sequences renewable by telomerase. By contrast, Drosophila telomeres comprise arrays of non-LTR retrotransposons HeT-A, TART, and TAHRE belonging to three different families. However, closer inspection reveals that the two quite different telomere systems share quite a few components and regulatory circuits. Here we present the current knowledge on Drosophila telomeres and discuss the possible mechanisms of telomere length control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Models, Genetic
  • Retroelements / genetics
  • Retroelements / physiology
  • Telomerase / genetics
  • Telomerase / physiology*
  • Telomere / metabolism
  • Telomere / physiology*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Retroelements
  • Telomerase