Regulatory Analysis of Plant Telomere Binding Proteins

Plant telomere binding protein (PTBP) is a protein that binds to plant telomeres, and its main function is to protect the telomeres from degradation and damage at the end of DNA and to participate in the maintenance of chromosome stability and the transmission of genetic information. Plant telomere binding protein mainly exists in the nucleus of plants and is highly conserved. The sequences and structures of PTBPs are slightly different in different plants, but they all have similar functions and mechanisms of action.

At Lifeasible, we possess a unique advantage in the regulatory analysis of plant telomere-binding proteins. Our team of highly skilled experts has an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms and functional implications of these proteins.

Telomeric Double-stranded DNA Binding Proteins

• We perform regulatory analysis of PTBP, which normally binds to the double-stranded DNA of telomeres and forms telomeric complexes with other proteins. These complexes help maintain chromosome structure and function and prevent chromosome breakage and damage, thus ensuring normal cell division and transmission of genetic information. Our list of services includes, but is not limited to, those listed in the table below.

Domains	Proteins
Proteins containing the Myb domain	TRB1-3, TBP1, TRFL2-10
CST complex protein	Stn1, TEN1, CTC1

• We help study the binding of proteins containing the Myb structural domain to telomeres, which is required to maintain chromosomal DNA integrity. In addition, a recent study has shown that TRB proteins also function as chromatin regulators. We also help study the role of the CST complex in telomeric double-stranded DNA-binding proteins. The CST complex controls telomerase entry into telomeric DNA, the end-joining recombination pathway, and the activation of the ATR-dependent DNA damage response in Arabidopsis.

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of observed protein-protein interactions at telomeric ends. (Schrumpfová PP, et al., 2014)

Telomeric Single-stranded DNA Binding Proteins

• In plants, telomeric single-stranded DNA sequence-binding proteins are divided into two groups: proteins with OB structural domains and proteins without OB structural domains. Our service includes both types of binding proteins, as shown in the table below.

Domains	Proteins	DNA binding sequence	Modulate telomerase activity	Modulate telomere length
OB	POT1	Unknown	Positive/Negative/Unaffected/Unknown	Extension/Shorten/Unknown
RBD	STEP1	(TTTAGGG)n	Negative	Shorten
Whirly	WHY1	(TTTAGGG)n	Negative	Shorten
RRM	GTBP	(TTTAGGG)n	Unknown	Unknown

• We help our clients study the role of POT1 in telomere protection, a highly conserved core unit. In recent years, a growing number of studies have shown that POT1 proteins have essential effects on telomere length and replication and are also involved in the maintenance of telomere end structure and function. In addition, the POT1 protein can participate in gene regulation by interacting with transcription factors.
• We also conduct an in-depth study of WHY1, STEP1, GTBP, and other pooled proteins to understand their regulatory roles in telomeres. WHY1 was found to bind single-stranded DNA and interact with telomerase specifically. STEP1 interacts with single-stranded telomeres and plant telomerase and prevents telomerase-mediated telomere elongation.

With state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technologies, Lifeasible is equipped to perform comprehensive analyses of the regulatory role of plant telomere-binding proteins. If you are interested in our services or have some questions, please feel free to contact us or make an online inquiry.