Proteomic analysis defines the interactome of telomerase in the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei .

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme responsible for maintaining the telomeric end of the chromosome. The telomerase enzyme requires two main components to function: the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TR), which provides the template for telomeric DNA synthesis. TR is a long non-coding RNA, which forms the basis of a large structural scaffold upon which many accessory proteins can bind and form the complete telomerase holoenzyme. These accessory protein interactions are required for telomerase activity and regulation inside cells. The interacting partners of TERT have been well studied in yeast, human, and Tetrahymena models, but not in parasitic protozoa, including clinically relevant human parasites. Here, using the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei ( T. brucei ) as a model, we have identified the interactome of T. brucei TERT ( Tb TERT) using a mass spectrometry-based approach. We identified previously known and unknown interacting factors of Tb TERT, highlighting unique features of T. brucei telomerase biology. These unique interactions with Tb TERT, suggest mechanistic differences in telomere maintenance between T. brucei and other eukaryotes.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2023 Davis, Reyes, Nitika, Saha, Wolfgeher, Xu, Truman, Li and Chakrabarti.)