ABSTRACT
Protocol 5.1: Telomere length analysis by Southern blot 135
Protocol 5.2: Telomere length analysis by Q-FISH 140
5.7 Methods for detection of telomerase activity 144
Protocol 5.3: Telomerase detection 145
5.8 References 148
5.1 Introduction
Mammalian cells have developed complex mechanisms to ensure equal distribution of the genetic material during cell division. For example, the number of chromosomes in dividing somatic cells of a given species is always constant. Key functional elements of chromosomes that must be strictly controlled to maintain species-specific chromosome numbers are centromeres and telomeres [1]. This review focuses on the mechanisms of
telomere maintenance in mammalian cells and the methodology used to study telomere maintenance.
