Telomerase RNA component (template subunit) (TERC, TR, TER)

The Telomerase RNA component (TERC/TER/TR) is a long non-coding RNA essential for telomerase enzymatic activity in eukaryotes. It serves as an internal template for reverse transcription, guiding the addition of telomeric DNA repeats by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) subunit[4][2][1][5][9]. The template region within TERC is highly conserved in structure but variable in sequence across organisms, and includes boundary elements that ensure precise telomere repeat synthesis. TERC is a core element of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein, binding both TERT and multiple telomerase accessory factors, and is critical for cellular longevity, stem cell maintenance, and cancer cell immortality[4][2][1][5][9]. Dysfunction or deficiency of the TERC RNA can result in telomere syndromes or age-associated diseases, and telomerase inhibition strategies (interfering with TERC or TERT) are under active clinical investigation for cancer treatment[4][9].

Other names

Telomerase RNA componentTRTERTERC

Competitive inhibition of telomerase template usage; Disruption of telomerase RNP assembly; RNP complex destabilization