61 Result(s)

Article

Triple-helix structure in telomerase RNA contributes to catalysis

Telomerase is responsible for replication of the ends of linear chromosomes in most eukaryotes. Its intrinsic RNA subunit provides the template for synthesis of telomeric DNA by the reverse-transcriptase (TERT...

Feng Qiao, Thomas R Cech in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2008)

Article

The POT1–TPP1 telomere complex is a telomerase processivity factor

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 ...

Feng Wang, Elaine R. Podell, Arthur J. Zaug, Yuting Yang, Paul Baciu… in Nature (2007)

Article

Crystal structure of the essential N-terminal domain of telomerase reverse transcriptase

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein enzyme, adds telomeric DNA repeats to the ends of linear chromosomes. Here we report the first high-resolution structure of any portion of the telomerase reverse transcriptase, ...

Steven A Jacobs, Elaine R Podell, Thomas R Cech in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2006)

Article

A miniature yeast telomerase RNA functions in vivo and reconstitutes activity in vitro

The ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase synthesizes DNA at the ends of chromosomes. Although the telomerase catalytic protein subunit (TERT) is well conserved, the RNA component is rapidly evolving in both siz...

David C Zappulla, Karen Goodrich, Thomas R Cech in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2005)

Article

Nurturing interdisciplinary research

The research in biology has been transformed by the products of interdisciplinary research. Here we explore why it is challenging for universities to bring biologists together with engineers, physicists and co...

Thomas R Cech, Gerald M Rubin in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2004)

Article

Structure of human POT1 bound to telomeric single-stranded DNA provides a model for chromosome end-protection

The POT1 (protection of telomeres 1) protein binds the single-stranded overhang at the ends of chromosomes in diverse eukaryotes. It is essential for chromosome end-protection in the fission yeast Schizosaccharom...

Ming Lei, Elaine R Podell, Thomas R Cech in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2004)

Article

Self-Splicing and Enzymatic Activity of an Intervening Sequence RNA from Tetrahymena

Thomas R. Cech in Bioscience Reports (2004)

Article

RNA finds a simpler way

Is there no end to the versatility of RNA? The latest feat to be revealed is RNA's ability to switch off genes through a neatly straightforward mechanism. So it isn't only proteins that can repress gene activity.

Thomas R. Cech in Nature (2004)

Article

DNA self-recognition in the structure of Pot1 bound to telomeric single-stranded DNA

Telomeres, specialized protein–DNA complexes that cap the ends of linear chromosomes, are essential for protecting chromosomes from degradation and end-to-end fusions^1,2. The Pot1 (protection of telomeres 1) prot...

Ming Lei, Elaine R. Podell, Peter Baumann, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (2003)

Article

Evolution of Tetrahymena ribozyme mutants with increased structural stability

Determining how large RNA molecules stabilize their tertiary structures is critical for understanding how they perform their biological functions. Here we use in vitro selection to identify active variants of the...

Feng Guo, Thomas R. Cech in Nature Structural Biology (2002)

Article

The chemical repertoire of natural ribozymes

Although RNA is generally thought to be a passive genetic blueprint, some RNA molecules, called ribozymes, have intrinsic enzyme-like activity — they can catalyse chemical reactions in the complete absence of ...

Jennifer A. Doudna, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (2002)

Article

Saccharomyces cerevisiae telomerase is an Sm small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle

Activation of the chromosome end-replicating enzyme telomerase can greatly extend the lifespan of normal human cells¹ and is associated with most human cancers². In all eukaryotes examined, telomerase has an RNA ...

Anita G. Seto, Arthur J. Zaug, Suzanne G. Sobel, Sandra L. Wolin, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (1999)

Article

Peptide bond formation by in vitro selected ribozymes

An attractive solution to the problem of the origin of protein synthesis in an evolving ‘RNA world’ involves catalysis by nucleic acid without assistance from proteins¹,². Indeed, even the modern ribosome has bee...

Biliang Zhang, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (1997)

Article

A second catalytic metal ion in a group I ribozyme

Although only a subset of protein enzymes depend on the presence of a metal ion for their catalytic function, all naturally occurring RNA enzymes require metal ions to stabilize theirstructure and for catalyti...

Lara B. Weinstein, B. C. N. M. Jones, Richard Cosstick, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (1997)

Article

Regulation of telomere length and function by a Myb-domain protein in fission yeast

Telomeres, the specialized nucleoprotein structures that comprise the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes^1,2, are essential for complete replication^3–5, and regulation of their length has been a focus of research on t...

Julia Promisel Cooper, Elaine R. Nimmo, Robin C. Allshire, Thomas R. Cech in Nature (1997)

Article

Hammerhead nailed down

Thomas R. Cech, Olke C. Uhlenbeck in Nature (1994)