Telomerase Activity Assay
Telomerase Activity Assay - Related Videos
09:25
In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase
0 Views •
Cited by 5 •
2011
Efforts to isolate the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in sufficient quantities for structural studies, have been met with limited success for more than a decade. Here, we present methods for the isolation of the recombinant Tribolium castaneum TERT (TcTERT) and the reconstitution of the active T. castaneum telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in vitro.
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
0 Views •
Cited by 29 •
2013
An accurate, short, sophisticated and cheap method is described that assesses telomere length in multiple tissues and species using qRT-PCR. In addition, we will describe a simple assay to assess telomerase activity as a complementary backbone test for telomere length.
02:41
Telomeres and Telomerase
0 Views •
2020
In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
02:41
Telomeres and Telomerase
0 Views •
2023
In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.
10:14
Telomerase Activity in the Various Regions of Mouse Brain: Non-Radioactive Telomerase Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) Assay
0 Views •
Cited by 8 •
2014
Telomerase is expressed in the neonatal brain and also in distinct regions of the adult brain. We present a non-toxic time saving TRAP assay for the analysis of telomerase activity in various regions of the mouse brain and detection of differences in telomerase activity between male and female mouse brains.
FAQs
Primer extension provides a functional readout of telomerase activity rather than simply indicating that telomerase-related material is present. When telomerase adds repetitive telomeric DNA sequences to the primer, the assay captures that enzymatic capability. This matters in cancer research because sustained telomere-supporting activity is associated with continued cellular lifespan and tumor biology.
The telomeric repeat amplification protocol links enzymatic extension to signal generation in two stages. First, telomerase extends a primer by adding repetitive DNA sequences. The resulting products are then amplified, making the activity easier to detect and compare across samples. This design converts a molecular extension event into a measurable assay output.
Both detection approaches identify products generated after primer extension and amplification, but they present the results differently. Fluorescence provides a signal-based readout, whereas gel electrophoresis displays amplified products as separated bands. Choosing between them affects how researchers examine assay results, while the underlying measurement remains telomerase-dependent product formation.
Cancer cells frequently reactivate telomerase, connecting this activity with the ability to support extended cellular lifespan. Measuring the activity therefore helps investigators examine a feature related to replicative immortality and tumor biology. The assay can distinguish activity patterns among cancer-related samples, creating a functional basis for studying how telomerase contributes to malignancy.
A typical workflow begins by applying the assay to the selected biological samples, allowing telomerase to extend the assay primer, and then amplifying the resulting repetitive DNA products. Researchers detect those products through fluorescence or gel electrophoresis and compare the resulting signals or patterns among tumors, cultured cells, or treatment conditions.
Researchers can use a Telomerase Activity Assay when they want to compare telomerase activity before and after a treatment or across different treatment conditions. Changes in the assay readout provide information about how the treatment relates to telomerase function. This supports investigation of potential responses to therapies designed to target telomerase.