Telomere transcription and shelterin interactions at human telomeres

Eukaryotic telomeres are transcribed by RNA polymerase II into the long noncoding RNA TERRA. It is widely accepted that telomere transcription and TERRA support crucial cellular functions, including telomerase-mediated and ALT-mediated telomere elongation. However, the molecular details of how TERRA participates in telomere homeostasis maintenance still need to be fully elucidated. I will present an overview of TERRA regulation and functions in human cells. Moreover, I will share unpublished work from my lab revealing a new regulatory circuit based on the physical interactions between TERRA transcripts and telomere-associated proteins including TRF1 and TRF2.