RRC ID 76334
Author Yu X, Gray S, Ferreira HC.
Title POT-3 preferentially binds the terminal DNA-repeat on the telomeric G-overhang.
Journal Nucleic Acids Res
Abstract Eukaryotic chromosomes typically end in 3' telomeric overhangs. The safeguarding of telomeric single-stranded DNA overhangs is carried out by factors related to the protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) protein in humans. Of the three POT1-like proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans, POT-3 was the only member thought to not play a role at telomeres. Here, we provide evidence that POT-3 is a bona fide telomere-binding protein. Using a new loss-of-function mutant, we show that the absence of POT-3 causes telomere lengthening and increased levels of telomeric C-circles. We find that POT-3 directly binds the telomeric G-strand in vitro and map its minimal DNA binding site to the six-nucleotide motif, GCTTAG. We further show that the closely related POT-2 protein binds the same motif, but that POT-3 shows higher sequence selectivity. Crucially, in contrast to POT-2, POT-3 prefers binding sites immediately adjacent to the 3' end of DNA. These differences are significant as genetic analyses reveal that pot-2 and pot-3 do not function redundantly with each other in vivo. Our work highlights the rapid evolution and specialisation of telomere binding proteins and places POT-3 in a unique position to influence activities that control telomere length.
Volume 51(2)
Pages 610-618
Published 2023-1-25
DOI 10.1093/nar/gkac1203
PII 6965455
PMID 36583365
PMC PMC9881156
MeSH Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism DNA / chemistry DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics Humans Shelterin Complex Telomere* / genetics Telomere* / metabolism Telomere-Binding Proteins* / metabolism
Resource
C.elegans tm1400