The POT1–TPP1 telomere complex is a telomerase processivity factor

Feng Wang, Elaine R. Podell, Arthur J. Zaug, Yuting Yang, Paul Baciu, Thomas R. Cech and Ming Lei ()
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Feng Wang: University of Michigan Medical School
Elaine R. Podell: University of Colorado
Arthur J. Zaug: University of Colorado
Yuting Yang: University of Michigan Medical School
Paul Baciu: University of Michigan Medical School
Thomas R. Cech: University of Colorado
Ming Lei: University of Michigan Medical School

Nature, 2007, vol. 445, issue 7127, 506-510

Abstract: Abstract Telomeres were originally defined as chromosome caps that prevent the natural ends of linear chromosomes from undergoing deleterious degradation and fusion events. POT1 (protection of telomeres) protein binds the single-stranded G-rich DNA overhangs at human chromosome ends and suppresses unwanted DNA repair activities. TPP1 is a previously identified binding partner of POT1 that has been proposed to form part of a six-protein shelterin complex at telomeres. Here, the crystal structure of a domain of human TPP1 reveals an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold that is structurally similar to the β-subunit of the telomere end-binding protein of a ciliated protozoan, suggesting that TPP1 is the missing β-subunit of human POT1 protein. Telomeric DNA end-binding proteins have generally been found to inhibit rather than stimulate the action of the chromosome end-replicating enzyme, telomerase. In contrast, we find that TPP1 and POT1 form a complex with telomeric DNA that increases the activity and processivity of the human telomerase core enzyme. We propose that POT1–TPP1 switches from inhibiting telomerase access to the telomere, as a component of shelterin, to serving as a processivity factor for telomerase during telomere extension.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05454

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