Functional analysis of conserved residues in the putative "finger" domain of telomerase reverse transcriptase.

TitleFunctional analysis of conserved residues in the putative "finger" domain of telomerase reverse transcriptase.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsBosoy D, Lue NF
JournalJ Biol Chem
Volume276
Issue49
Pagination46305-12
Date Published2001 Dec 07
ISSN0021-9258
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Amino Acid Substitution, Base Sequence, DNA Primers, DNA, Neoplasm, DNA-Binding Proteins, HIV Reverse Transcriptase, Models, Molecular, Molecular Sequence Data, Point Mutation, Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, Telomerase
Abstract

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase (RT) responsible for the maintenance of one strand of telomere terminal repeats. The catalytic protein subunit of telomerase, known generically as telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), exhibits significant homology to RTs encoded by retroviruses and retroelements. The polymerization mechanisms of telomerase may therefore be similar to those of the "conventional" RTs. In this study, we explored the extent of mechanistic conservation by analyzing mutations of conserved residues within the putative "finger" domain of TERT. Previous analysis has implicated this domain of retroviral RTs in nucleotide and RNA binding and in processivity control. Our results demonstrate that residues conserved between TERT and human immunodeficiency virus-1 RT are more likely than TERT-specific residues to be required for enzyme activity. In addition, residues presumed to make direct contact with either the RNA or nucleotide substrate appear to be functionally more important. Furthermore, distinct biochemical defects can be observed for alterations in the putative RNA- and nucleotide-binding TERT residues in a manner that can be rationalized by their postulated mechanisms of action. This study thus supports a high degree of mechanistic conservation between telomerase and retroviral RTs and underscores the roles of distinct aspects of telomerase biochemistry in telomere length maintenance.

DOI10.1074/jbc.M108168200
Alternate JournalJ Biol Chem
PubMed ID11581271
Grant ListR01 GM62631-01 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States

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