Telomerase RNA is an intrinsic component of the telomerase enzyme. A short template sequence in the telomerase RNA is copied by the catalytic telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) to synthesize telomere repeats to chromosome ends. In addition to the template, other conserved RNA structural elements play important parts in catalysis as well as localization, maturation and assembly of telomerase. Telomerase RNA is mutated in the autosomal dominant form of the disease dyskeratosis congenita. Recent studies of telomerase RNA function and telomerase biogenesis have provided a basis for understanding the role of telomerase in this disease.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology