Chinedu Agwu

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• How does the telomerase protein TERT travel into the mitochondria - always via the nucleus?

Although the enzyme telomerase is best known for its telomere maintaining function in the nucleus, it also has other functions outside the nucleus. We have shown previously that the telomerase protein TERT shuttles to mitochondria upon oxidative stress and protect these organelles. Initially, TERT travels out of the nucleus into mitochondria, where it can stay for several days. Thus, the question arises, whether it always takes the detour via the nucleus or whether it can be transported directly from the cytoplasm, where it is synthesised, to the mitochondria. We will use cycloheximide, a specific inhibitor of protein synthesis after oxidative stress to address this question.

Funding source: Newcastle University