Telomerase is the eukaryotic ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that protects genome stability by adding telomeric repeats to chromosome ends. Altered telomerase function is implicated in cancer, aging and other human diseases. To understand telomerase, we have defined cellular telomerase holoenzyme subunits and structures, biochemical mechanisms that underlie the reiterative synthesis of telomeric repeats, and cellular controls of telomerase action at telomeres. Our recent studies of have uncovered unanticipated layers of complexity in how telomerase RNA folds, the pathways of active enzyme assembly, and positive and negative regulation of telomerase at chromosome ends.










Kathleen Collins (UC Berkeley)