Nicole Ong

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Does mutant telomerase decrease oxidative stress and protects mitochondria?

The enzyme telomerase is best known for its telomere maintenance function, but also has non-telomeric functions. We and others have found that the protein part of telomerase (TERT) shuttles to mitochondria and protects them from oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, it is not clear whether only the wild type protein can perform this protection. We suggest that also other mutant TERT proteins that are not biochemically active could protect mitochondria. The aim of the current project is to analyse whether various mutant TERT proteins are also able to shuttle to and protect mitochondria and cells from oxidative stress.

Funding source: Newcastle University