#11428 obsolete: telomere formation via telomerase

[Ruth]

Hi

Nancy and I feel that the GO term: GO:0032203 telomere formation via telomerase should be obsoleted. The definition states: The addition of telomeric repeats to a non-telomeric double-stranded DNA end by telomerase.

But telomerase requires single-stranded DNA to extend. The alternative terms: GO:0007004 telomere maintenance via telomerase and/or GO:0032202 telomere assembly are more appropriate terms to use.

This term had only 4 annotations (2 of which were BHF and I have changed these to better GO terms).

Possibly this term was created before the activity of telomerase was fully understood.

Thanks

Ruth

[Janos Demeter]

Hi,

I don't agree with obsoleting the term. I think a change in the definition would be better. My suggestion is:

"A cellular process that results in the formation of a telomere at a non-telomeric double-stranded DNA end that involves the activity of a telomerase enzyme."

The definition of the parent term, "GO:0032202 telomere assembly", would also benefit from an update, e.g.:

"A cellular process that results in the formation of a telomere at a non-telomeric double-stranded DNA end."

I think "GO:0032203 telomere formation via telomerase" is useful as a subtype of "GO:0032202 telomere assembly" (i.e. de novo telomere creation), one that involves telomerase (plus other activivies).

Thanks,
Janos

[Nancy Campbell]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments.

I worked on telomeres but I have not come across this. I am not aware that telomerase can be involved in forming telomeres at non-telomeric double-stranded DNA ends.

I would be very interested to learn more. Can you provide a reference to support this.

Best wishes

Nancy

[Ruth]

Hi Janos

we don't think it is appropriate to make the parent term GO:0032202 telomere assembly definition more specific. The process of telomere assembly occurs at telomeric DNA.

Best

Ruth and Nancy

[Janos Demeter]

Hi Nancy,

I claim no special expertise with respect to telomeres, but for GO:0032203 (and also GO:0032202) there are 2 references mentioned in the definition. They argue that telomerase may be involved in the addition of new telomeres to dsDNA pieces. Have the been proven wrong?

Ruth: sorry if I wasn't clear. I wanted to make the definition less specific by removing "aggregation, arrangement and bonding", because this list seems to exclude the possibility of dna synthesis - which a telomerase would do, if it was involved in this process.

Thanks,
Janos

[Ruth]

Hi David

is there anything else you need to make a decision on this?

Best

Ruth

[David Hill]

Janos,

Are you ok with my sending out an obsoletion proposal?

-David