端粒长度分析的研究现状及其应用前景

Research Status and Application Prospects of Telomere Length Analysis

端粒是维持基因组稳定的基本功能元件之一。由于细胞分裂和环境因素的影响,端粒会逐渐缩短,最终引发细胞复制性衰老。端粒长度是端粒功能的一个重要参数,它决定着染色体的稳定性和细胞的增殖能力。目前,有多种端粒长度的分析方法,如基于DNA的端粒末端限制性片段(terminal restriction fragment, TRF)分析、定量PCR(quantitative polymerase chain reaction, qPCR)、单链端粒长度分析(single telomere length analysis, STELA)、端粒最短长度分析(telomere shortest length assay, TeSLA)和端粒长度分子梳分析(telomere length combing assay, TCA)及基于细胞水平的定量荧光原位杂交(quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization, Q-FISH)等。不同的分析方法获得的端粒相关变量不同。本文将介绍各种端粒长度分析方法的基本原理及应用优势,帮助研究者根据研究设计需求选择最佳的评估方法,更好地解决模型生物或人类端粒的具体研究问题。

Telomere is one of the basic functional elements for maintaining genome stability. Telomeres can become shorter due to cell divisions and environmental factors. Critically shortened telomeres eventually lead to cellular replicative senescence. Telomere length is an important parameter of telomere function, which determines the stability of chromosomes and the ability of cell proliferation. Currently multiple methods have been developed for the analysis of telomere length, including terminal restriction fragment(TRF) analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR), single telomere length analysis(STELA), telomere shortest length assay(TeSLA) and telomere length combing assay(TCA) based on DNA, as well as quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization(Q-FISH) based on cellular levels. Different analysis methods are applied to obtain different telomere relevant variables. In the review, we discuss the principle and application advantages of each telomere length analysis, which may help researchers select an optimal assessment approach to better address specific research questions about telomere in either model organisms or humans.