Cell
Volume 57, Issue 4, 19 May 1989, Pages 633-643
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Article
A mutant with a defect in telomere elongation leads to senescence in yeast

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Abstract

We describe a general assay designed to detect mutants of yeast that are defective for any of several aspects of telomere function. Using this assay, we have isolated a mutant that displays a progressive decrease in telomere length as well as an increased frequency of chromosome loss. This mutation defines a new gene, designated EST1 (for ever shorter telomeres). Null alleles of EST1 are not immediately inviable; instead, they have a senescence phenotype, due to the gradual loss of sequences essential for telomere function, leading to a progressive decrease in chromosomal stability and subsequent cell death.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Present address: Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720.

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