Telomere Q-PNA-FISH--reliable results from stochastic signals

PLoS One. 2014 Mar 18;9(3):e92559. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092559. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Structural and functional analysis of telomeres is very important for understanding basic biological functions such as genome stability, cell growth control, senescence and aging. Recently, serious concerns have been raised regarding the reliability of current telomere measurement methods such as Southern blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Since telomere length is associated with age related pathologies, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, both at the individual and population level, accurate interpretation of measured results is a necessity. The telomere Q-PNA-FISH technique has been widely used in these studies as well as in commercial analysis for the general population. A hallmark of telomere Q-PNA-FISH is the wide variation among telomere signals which has a major impact on obtained results. In the present study we introduce a specific mathematical and statistical analysis of sister telomere signals during cell culture senescence which enabled us to identify high regularity in their variations. This phenomenon explains the reproducibility of results observed in numerous telomere studies when the Q-PNA-FISH technique is used. In addition, we discuss the molecular mechanisms which probably underlie the observed telomere behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Metaphase
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Telomere / genetics*
  • Telomere Homeostasis

Grants and funding

Croatian Ministry of Sciences, Education and Sports [098-0982913-2768 to I.R., 037-0372790-2800 to M.H.]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.