Proposed structure of the human telomeric complex.

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Proposed structure of the human telomeric complex.

Human telomeres are comprised of a 230-kb array of duplex TTAGGG repeats, ending in a 100 to 200 nucleotide protrusion of single-stranded TTAGGG repeats. This DNA can exist as a t-loop in which the overhang invades the duplex-repeat array forming a displacement (D) loop of TTAGGG repeats. Other configurations cannot be excluded. POT1 binds to the single-stranded TTAGGG-repeat DNA. Two double-stranded TTAGGG repeat-binding factors (TRFs), TRF1 and TRF2, are associated with the duplex repeats.

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Telomeres of Human Chromosomes

In the 1930s, Muller was surprised to note that telomeres were strangely resistant to mutagenic X-rays. Why are the unique properties of these chromosomal "end caps" so important?