Publication details
The hidden functions and power of telomeric repeats in plants.
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The telomeres of most plant species are composed of telomeric repeats (TTTAGGG), a motif recognized by plant-specific TRB (Telomere Repeat Binding) proteins. TRB proteins possess a Myb-domain like human TRF1/2, but unlike their human counterparts, TRBs also contain an H1-like domain. TRBs interact with the catalytic subunit of telomerase (TERT) and POT1a/b, colocalize with plant dyskerin, and serve as epigenetic regulators. We have clarified that TRBs emerged in evolution after the transition to a terrestrial habitat, and we have completed characterization of all TRB family members in Arabidopsis [1]. Telomeric repeats are not only localized at the telomeres but also internally, either as a long telomeric DNA tracts called interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) or as short repeats (telo-boxes). We have recently helped to show that TRB1 accessibility to telomeres and ITSs may be restricted by H1 [2]. Interestingly, telo-boxes are prevalently localized in gene promoters and they are also recognized by TRBs [3] and they may regulate gene transcription. To elucidate the precise localization of telo-boxes within gene promoters, we developed software named GOLEM (Gene regulatOry eLEMents, www.golem.ncbr.muni.cz). In GOLEM, the distribution and frequency of any motif of interest in relevant plant genomes, in the vicinity of the transcription start site (TSS), may be visualized in relation to the transcript levels of particular genes in different tissues. Novel findings about the function of telomeric repeats and TRB proteins across evolution will be discussed. |
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