Telomeres in mitosis: organization and dynamics

Telomeres are specialized chromosomal structures that protect chromosome ends and maintain genome stability. Their organization depends on telomeric DNA repeats, the shelterin complex, accessory factors, and the telomerase enzyme. While telomere structure and maintenance have been extensively characterized, their dynamics during mitosis in mammalian cells remains incompletely understood. Mitosis involves profound cellular reorganization, including chromatin condensation, spindle formation, and nuclear membrane disassembly and reassembly. Emerging evidence suggests that telomeres participate in these processes and may contribute to proper chromosome segregation and post-mitotic chromatin organization. Studies indicate that telomeric proteins such as the telomeric-associated factor TRF1 and TNKS1 interact with centrosomes and spindle components, while telomeres also interface with chromatin and nuclear membrane reassembly factors such as BAF1, LAP2α, and the ESCRT machinery during late mitosis. Defects in these processes or interactions can lead to telomere dysfunction and genomic instability. Understanding telomere dynamics during mitosis is therefore critical not only for basic cell biology but also for elucidating mechanisms underlying aging, laminopathies, and other telomere-related human diseases.