Hello,
I have recently read about the reverse transcription activity of one of the subunits of telomerase. As far as I know, all reverse transcriptases so far are of viral origin, including the ones from retrotransposons and ERVs.
However, the fact that this enzyme is performing a function so important for all eukaryotic life, makes me wonder if it is the same or if it has a different independent origin from the rest of reverse transcriptases known since it might be needed since multicellular organisms' genomes acquired chromosomal organization.
I have tried to search papers addressing this but I could not find any so far. Does anyone know?
Hello Sergio Fandiño González
The catalytic subunit of telomerase, the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), possesses the hallmark amino acid motifs of a reverse transcriptase (RT). However, unlike viral RTs, telomerase is a unique eukaryotic RT that carries an intrinsic RNA template essential for the de novo addition of telomere sequences.
Please refer to the references attached below for more information.
https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/11/23/3109.long
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9328464/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9288757/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9252327/
Article Telomere Length Regulation
TERT is expressed at a high level in malignant cells, but at a very low level in normal cells.
Hope the above papers will be helpful!
Best.
Both enzymes are involved in the process of reverse transcription, which is the process of copying RNA into DNA.
TERT is a large protein, and encoded by a gene in the host cell's genome. Viral reverse transcriptases, on the other hand, are encoded by the virus's genome.
TERT is essential for the maintenance of telomeres, which are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Viral reverse transcriptases are essential for the replication of viral RNA genomes.
High potential of TERT as a therapeutic target for cancer. By inhibiting TERT, it may be possible to prevent cancer cells from replicating and growing.
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