TELOMERASE IS AN UNUSUAL RNA-CONTAINING ENZYME - A REVIEW

Telomeres, the natural ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, are esse ntial for protecting chromosomes from degradation and fusion. The synt hesis of telomere DNA repeats in most eukaryotes is performed by a spe cial enzyme, telomerase. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme, is a specialized reverse transcriptase utilizing its RNA moiety as a templa te for synthesis of telomeric DNA. Enzymatic properties and results of comparative analysis of telomerase RNA and protein structures from di fferent eukaryotic systems are discussed in this review.