C. elegans Protect Chromosomes in Unique Way

Jack D. Griffith, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
NIEHS Grant R01ES013773

Salk Institute scientists along with an NIEHS grantee at the University of North Carolina report that the roundworm C. elegans has telomeres with strands of DNA rich in cytosine, which is different than telomeres from mammals that normally terminate with DNA strands rich in guanine.

Protection of the ends of chromosomes with telomeres is essential for any animal’s survival. Telomeres are the object of intense investigation because these structures represent the physical link between cancer and aging research. Telomere loss can lead to chromosome fusion, chromosome breakage, and further to genome instability, a major cause of cancer. The researchers also determined that two unique proteins are necessary parts of the machinery regulated the length of cytosine- or guanine-tailed telomeres.

The research team used the roundworm model instead of an animal model to streamline the analysis which could be conducted in much less time. The researchers will now focus efforts on determining whether cytosine-rich telomeres are present in mammals also. If they are found, they could play a role in telomere maintenance and in cancer. They hope to exploit these findings to stop cells from becoming cancerous by blocking the enzyme that synthesizes telomeres.

Citation: Raices M, Verdun RE, Compton SA, Haggblom CI, Griffith JD, Dillin A, Karlseder J. C. elegans telomeres contain G-strand and C-strand overhangs that are bound by distinct proteins. Cell. 2008 Mar 7;132(5):745-57.