Abstract

To learn more about the structure of the DNA terminus at Tetrahymena thermophila telomeres, we have devised a ligation-mediated primer extension protocol to accurately measure the length of the G-strand overhang. We show that overhang length and the identity of the 3'-terminal nucleotide are tightly regulated. The majority of overhangs terminate in the sequence 5'-TTGGGGT and >80% are either 14–15 or 20–21 nucleotides in length. No significant changes in overhang length were detected as cells traversed the cell cycle. However, changes in length distribution were observed when cells exited the cell cycle, indicating an altered balance between DNA synthesis and degradation or end protection. We also provide evidence that rDNA molecules have overhangs on both telomeres. Full-length rDNA could be cloned by a strategy that depends on overhangs being present at both ends. Moreover, analysis of leading strand telomeres revealed that a significant fraction have overhangs 5 nucleotides. Our results indicate that generation of the terminal telomeric DNA structure is highly regulated and requires several distinct DNA-processing events.