Advances of Telomere and Telomerase

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of linear chromosomes,consisting of multi-kilobase long arrays of double-stranded TTAGGG repeats,a single-stranded overhang of the 3'G-strand,and associated proteins.It protects the ends of linear chromosomes.Telomere length,construction and organization are regulated by lots of telomere binding proteins.Because of the significance of telomeres,the changes of telomeres' length or constructure can cause cells to enter senescence or apoptosis.Telomerase is important for maintaining telomeres,and most of cancer cells have telomerase activity,so,it can be a target for cure cancer.The latest development of the telomere,telomerase and its binding proteins function were discussed.