Telomeres are favoured targets of a persistent DNA damage response in ageing and stress-induced senescence

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures, which protect chromosome ends and have been implicated in the ageing process. Telomere shortening has been shown to contribute to a persistent DNA damage response (DDR) during replicative senescence, the irreversible loss of division potential of somatic cells. Similarly, persistent DDR foci can be found in stress-induced senescence, although their nature is not understood. Here we show, using immuno-fluorescent in situ hybridization and ChIP, that up to half of the DNA damage foci in stress-induced senescence are located at telomeres irrespective of telomerase activity. Moreover, live-cell imaging experiments reveal that all persistent foci are associated…

• UD
  Universidade do Porto
• MR
  Medical Research Council
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Award: BB/H022384/1
• FP
  Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia