Single-molecule analysis of telomerase structure and function

The telomerase ribonucleoprotein is a specialized reverse transcriptase required to maintain protective chromosome end-capping structures called telomeres. In most cells, telomerase is not active and the natural shortening of telomeres with each round of DNA replication ultimately triggers cell growth arrest. In contrast, the presence of telomerase confers a high level of renewal capacity upon rapidly dividing cells. Telomerase is aberrantly activated in 90% of human cancers and thus represents an important target for anticancer therapeutics. However, the naturally low abundance of telomerase has hampered efforts to obtain high-resolution models for telomerase structure and function. To circumvent these challenges, single-molecule techniques have recently been employed to investigate telomerase assembly, structure, and catalysis.

► We review advances in TCCD, force spectroscopy, and smFRET single-molecule techniques.
► Obtaining structural models of telomerase assembly and function are a persistent challenge.
► We review studies on telomerase assembly, RNA folding, structure, and activity.
► Single-molecule techniques contribute to the understanding of this unique enzyme.
► Single-molecule studies complement existing and future structural information.