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Review
. 2020 Jun 3:15:827-839.
doi: 10.2147/CIA.S256425. eCollection 2020.

Shelterin Complex at Telomeres: Implications in Ageing

Seyed Mostafa Mir  1   2   3 , Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani  4   5 , Golnaz Goodarzi  4   5 , Zahra Jamalpoor  1 , Jahanbakhsh Asadi  6 , Nafiseh Khelghati  7 , Durdi Qujeq  2   3 , Mahmood Maniati  8
Affiliations
Review

Shelterin Complex at Telomeres: Implications in Ageing

Seyed Mostafa Mir et al. Clin Interv Aging. .

Abstract

Different factors influence the development‎ and control of ageing. It is well known that progressive telomere shorting is one of the molecular mechanisms underlying ageing. The shelterin complex consists of six telomere-specific proteins which are involved in the protection of chromosome ends. More particularly, this vital complex protects the telomeres from degradation, prevents from activation of unwanted repair systems, regulates the activity of telomerase, and has a crucial role in cellular senescent and ageing-related pathologies. This review explores the organization and function of telomeric DNA along with the mechanism of telomeres during ageing, followed by a discussion of the critical role of shelterin components and their changes during ageing.

Keywords: ageing; sheltering complex; telomeres.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report that there are no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Telomere organization and function. Telomeres consist of a repetitive sequence TTAGGG and related to protective proteins, shelterin. Telomeric DNA, shelterin complex and TERRA make secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4), T-loop, and R-loop, respectively. Collectively, these structures protect the ends of chromosomes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representations show the mechanism of ageing by telomere shortening, and RAP1 effects on histone, as well as alterations of gene expression involved in ageing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation shows the mechanism of regulatory RAP1 through NF-κB pathway, which leads to the induction of cellular senescence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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