Comparison of telomere length measurement methods

The strengths and limitations of the major methods developed to measure telomere lengths (TLs) in cells and tissues are presented in this review. These include Q-PCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), TRF (Terminal Restriction Fragment) analysis, a variety of Q-FISH (Quantitative Fluorescence...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences 2018-03, Vol.373 (1741), p.20160451-20160451
Main Authors: Lai, Tsung-Po, Wright, Woodring E., Shay, Jerry W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal tissues
Animals
Biomarkers
Cell fate
Cell proliferation
Cellular Senescence - genetics
Chromosomes
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA damage
Fluorescence
Fluorescence in situ hybridization
Humans
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Measurement methods
Polymerase chain reaction
Q-Fish
Q-Pcr
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reproducibility
Reproducibility of Results
Review
Senescence
Sensitivity and Specificity
Stela
Telomerase
Telomere - genetics
Telomere Homeostasis
Telomeres
Tesla
Trf
Validation Studies as Topic
Yeast
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Summary:The strengths and limitations of the major methods developed to measure telomere lengths (TLs) in cells and tissues are presented in this review. These include Q-PCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), TRF (Terminal Restriction Fragment) analysis, a variety of Q-FISH (Quantitative Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) methods, STELA (Single TElomere Length Analysis) and TeSLA (Telomere Shortest Length Assay). For each method, we will cover information about validation studies, including reproducibility in independent laboratories, accuracy, reliability and sensitivity for measuring not only the average but also the shortest telomeres. There is substantial evidence that it is the shortest telomeres that trigger DNA damage responses leading to replicative senescence in mammals. However, the most commonly used TL measurement methods generally provide information on average or relative TL, but it is the shortest telomeres that leads to telomere dysfunction (identified by TIF, Telomere dysfunction Induced Foci) and limit cell proliferation in the absence of a telomere maintenance mechanism, such as telomerase. As the length of the shortest telomeres is a key biomarker determining cell fate and the onset of senescence, a new technique (TeSLA) that provides quantitative information about all the shortest telomeres will be highlighted. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics’.
ISSN:0962-8436
1471-2970
DOI:10.1098/rstb.2016.0451