Rap1 prevents fusions between long telomeres in fission yeast

Abstract: The conserved Rap1 protein is part of the shelterin complex that plays critical roles in chromosome end protection and telomere length regulation. Previous studies have addressed how fission yeast Rap1 contributes to telomere length maintenance, but the mechanism by which the protein inhibits end fusions has remained elusive. Here, we use a mutagenesis screen in combination with high‐throughput sequencing to identify several amino acid positions in Rap1 that have key roles in end protection. Interestingly, mutations at these sites render cells susceptible to genome instability in a conditional manner, whereby longer telomeres are prone to undergoing end fusions, while telomeres within the normal length range are sufficiently protected. The protection of long telomeres is in part dependent on their nuclear envelope attachment mediated by the Rap1–Bqt4 interaction. Our data demonstrate that long telomeres represent a challenge for the maintenance of genome integrity, thereby providing an explanation for species‐specific upper limits on telomere length.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Rap1 prevents fusions between long telomeres in fission yeast ; day:05 ; month:09 ; year:2022 ; extent:23 ; The EMBO journal / European Molecular Biology Organization ; (05.09.2022) (gesamt 23)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Pan, Lili ; Tormey, Duncan ; Bobon, Nadine ; Baumann, Peter

Further information

• DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021110458
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022090515194321536444
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:32 AM CEST