| Definition: |
also abbreviated as TERRA: a long non-coding RNA transcript (lncRNA) expressed from the subtelomeric sequences, and also from the G-rich telomeric sequences which cap the ends of chromosomes. In vertebrates, TERRA contains the telomeric repeat RNA sequence UUAGGG. TERRA lncRNAs can be anywhere in length between 200bp and several kilobases in length. TERRA is implicated in telomere maintenance in a telomerase-dependent manner where TERRA acts as a negative regulator of telomerase activity. It is also implicated in telomere maintenance via the telomerase-independent mechanism called ALT (Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres). PDB entries: 2M18 and 3IBK. |