A model for heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins in telomere and telomerase regulation

Lance P. Ford, Woodring E. Wright, Jerry W. Shay

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

130 Scopus citations

Abstract

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are a large family of nucleic acid binding proteins that are often found in, but not restricted to, the 40S-ribonucleoprotein particle. Subsets of hnRNPs are strictly nuclear while others shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Members of the hnRNP family have been implicated to have roles in many aspects of mRNA maturation/turnover and in telomere and telomerase regulation. Telomeres are repetitive DNA elements mainly found at the ends of human chromosomes. In most normal cells, telomeres shorten with each cell division. Telomere shortening can be compensated for by a ribonucleoprotein complex, called telomerase. Telomerase, consisting of an integral RNA and catalytic protein component as well as several auxiliary factors, extends the 3′-G-rich strand of the ends of the telomeres. Here we present new data and describe a model that implicates the telomerase bound hnRNPs in promoting telomere access by interacting with telomeres. Telomere bound hnRNPs include hnRNP A1, A2-B1, D and E and telomerase bound hnRNPs including hnRNPA1 C1/C2 and D. The telomere and telomerase bound hnRNPs may prove to be good targets for regulating telomere length.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)580-583
Number of pages4
JournalOncogene
Volume21
Issue number4 REV. ISS. 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 21 2002

Keywords

  • Telomerase
  • Telomere
  • hnRNP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

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