Telomere length and telomerase activity during folliculogenesis in mammals

Esra Gozde Kosebent, Fatma Uysal, Saffet Ozturk, Esra Gozde Kosebent, Fatma Uysal, Saffet Ozturk

Abstract

Telomeres are repetitive non-coding DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. Their most important function is to protect chromosome ends from being recognized as DNA damage. They are also implicated in meiosis and synapse formation. The length of telomeres inevitably shortens at the end of each round of DNA replication and, also, as a consequence of the exposure to oxidative stress and/or genotoxic agents. The enzyme telomerase contributes to telomere lengthening. It has been reported that telomerase is exclusively expressed in germ cells, granulosa cells, early embryos, stem cells, and various types of cancerous cells. Granulosa cells undergo many mitotic divisions and either granulosa cells or oocytes are exposed to a variety of genotoxic agents throughout folliculogenesis; thus, telomerase plays an important role in the maintenance of telomere length. In this review article, we have comprehensively evaluated the studies focusing on the regulation of telomerase expression and activity, as well as telomere length, during folliculogenesis from primordial to antral follicles, in several mammalian species including mice, bovines, and humans. Also, the possible relationships between female infertility caused by follicular development defects and alterations in the telomeres and/or telomerase activity are discussed.

Keywords: Female infertility; Granulosa cell; Oocyte; Telomerase; Telomere.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Schematic diagram showing telomere structure, telomere-associated proteins (TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TIN2, TPP1, and RAP1; forming the shelterin complex), and telomerase in a mammalian oocyte. The 3' overhang of telomere end enters the doubled-stranded DNA to create a displacement (D-loop) and a telomere (T-loop) loop. The shortened telomeres are elongated by the telomerase enzyme, composed of a TERT and a TERC subunits, as well as by other components.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Telomerase activity and telomere length during folliculogenesis. The studies performed in pigs and bovines suggest that the telomerase activity gradually decreases and the length of telomeres progressively increases from primordial follicles to antral follicles. The blue line represents telomerase activity, whereas the red line represents telomere length.

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