Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Contains a BH3-Like Motif and Interacts with BCL-2 Family Members.

• DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.0206
• Publication Date: 2018-07-31
• Authors: Young Jin; Long You; Hye Jeong Kim; Han‐Woong Lee
• Keywords: Bcl-2 Family

Upregulation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression is an important factor in the cellular survival and cancer. Although growing evidence suggests that hTERT inhibits apoptosis by telomere-independent functions, mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Here, we show contains a BH3-like motif, short peptide sequence found BCL-2 family proteins, interacts with anti-apoptotic proteins MCL-1 BCL-xL, suggesting functional link between mitochondrial pathway apoptosis. Additionally, propose can be categorized into atypical BH3-only promote survival, possibly due to non-canonical interaction antiapoptotic proteins. detailed underlying motif functions interactions have been elucidated, this work proposes possible connection members reconsiders role as motif.