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A telomere (ˈtɛləmɪər,_ˈtiːlə-; ) is a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences associated with specialized proteins at the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres are a widespread genetic feature most commonly found in eukaryotes. In most, if not all species possessing them, they protect the terminal regions of chromosomal DNA from progressive degradation and ensure the integrity of linear chromosomes by preventing DNA repair systems from mistaking the very ends of the DNA strand for a double-strand break.
The control of telomerase activity at chromosome ends by telomere-binding proteins is critical for telomere length homeostasis. Two recent papers identify TPP1 as a critical mediator of this control.
Telomere are the protective terminal structures of linear chromosomes. The repetitive TTAGGG sequences are bound by the dedicated shelterin complex, as well as by histones carrying modifications chara