Are telomeres found on both ends of DNA strands?

  • Thread starter nicholaschean
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In summary, telomeres are found on both the 5' and 3' ends of DNA molecules, with a longer sequence on the 3' end that forms a looped structure to protect the end of the DNA.
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nicholaschean
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I know that telomeres are found on the ends of DNA molecules as stated by my notes. But i was wondering if they are only found on the 3' ends or both 5' and 3' because since DNA is double stranded, if it were to be found on both 5' and 3', one parental strand will be
5'-TTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG█████████TTAGGGTTAGGGTTAGGG-3'. By complementary base pairing, the other parental strand will be
3'-AATCCCAATCCCAATCCC█████████AATCCCAATCCCAATCCC-5' whereby there is no telomere repeat at the ends.

Please clarify this doubt thanks! :)
 
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Telomeric sequences are found on both the 5' and 3' ends of the DNA. The telomeric sequence on the 3' end is slightly longer than the sequence on the 5' end, so there will be a single-stranded overhang on the 3' end. This single stranded region is used to form a looped structure that protects the end of the DNA from recognition by the DNA repair machinery (http://pmgm2.stanford.edu/biochem118/Papers/DNA%20Papers/Telomerase%20D-Loop-TLoop.pdf )
 
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FAQ: Are telomeres found on both ends of DNA strands?

1. What are telomeres?

Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA located at the end of chromosomes. They play a crucial role in protecting the genetic material of the chromosome and maintaining its stability during cell division.

2. Why are telomeres important?

Telomeres are important because they prevent the loss of genetic material during cell division. They also play a role in regulating the lifespan of cells and have been linked to aging and different diseases.

3. How do telomeres affect aging?

As we age, our telomeres naturally shorten due to the replication of cells. This shortening has been linked to the aging process and age-related diseases. Shorter telomeres may also lead to decreased cell function and an increased risk of cell death.

4. Can telomeres be lengthened?

There is ongoing research on ways to potentially lengthen telomeres, but as of now, there is no proven method to do so. Some studies suggest that certain lifestyle factors, such as exercise and a healthy diet, may help maintain telomere length.

5. How are telomeres related to cancer?

Telomeres play a role in preventing the development of cancer by maintaining the stability of the genetic material. However, some cancer cells have the ability to activate an enzyme called telomerase, which can extend telomeres and allow the cancer cells to continue replicating. This is why telomerase is being studied as a potential target for cancer treatments.

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