Differentiation-dependent telomeric long non-coding transcription in a model of skeletal myogenesis

Telomeres comprise the distal ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, serve to maintain genomic integrity and are extended by the ribonucleoprotein telomerase. Recent evidence indicates that telomeres are transcribed to generate long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and that these transcripts (TERRA) may inhibit telomerase activity. In this study we assessed telomerase activity and telomeric lncRNA expression in a mouse model of skeletal myogenesis. Using the C2C12 cell line we demonstrated decreased telomerase activity during differentiation into terminally-differentiated skeletal myotubes. Despite existing in a post-mitotic state, residual telomerase activity remained in C2C12 myotubes, indicating a role