The mean length of telomeric DNA is thought to mainly derive from a homeostatic balance between attrition due to the end replication problem and elongation via the reverse transcriptase telomerase ( 1). T 2AG 3 in mammals, T 3AG 3 in Arabidopsis and TG 1 – 3 in budding yeast. Telomeric DNA consists of tandem repeat arrays of TTAGG-like sequences at terminal chromosome ends, e.g. Telomeres represent nucleoprotein structures that cap the natural ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. This program provides a standardized mean for quick and reliable extraction of quantitative data from TRF autoradiograms its wide application will allow accurate comparison between datasets generated in different laboratories. Using this new method, a number of methodical biases are removed from previously stated techniques, including assumptions based on probe intensity corrections. Here, we present TeloTool, a new program allowing thorough statistical analysis of TRF data. Methods to accurately determine telomere length from telomeric smears have proven problematic, and no reliable technique has been suggested to obtain mean telomere length values.

As this technique centers on standard Southern blotting, telomeric DNA is observed on resulting autoradiograms as a heterogeneous smear. Terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis has for a long time shown to be one of the most accurate methods for quantification of absolute telomere length and range from a number of species. Therefore, techniques used to determine telomere length are important in a number of studies, ranging from those investigating telomeric structure to effects on human disease. Telomeres comprise the protective caps of natural chromosome ends and function in the suppression of DNA damage signaling and cellular senescence.

Matlab compiler runtime 7.17