rap1 — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPBC1778.02 (rap1) on chromosome 2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a telomeric repeat-binding protein that is a component of the nuclear telomere cap complex. The protein contains Rap1 DNA-binding, BRCT, and Myb-like domains characteristic of the TERF2IP/Rap1 family. Rap1 is associated with telomere organization, including telomere capping, 3'-end processing, and protection from NHEJ-mediated telomere fusion. It is linked to meiotic telomere clustering and attachment of telomeric heterochromatin to the spindle pole body, as well as mitotic telomere tethering at the nuclear periphery. The gene has been connected to chromosome attachment to the nuclear envelope, regulation of DNA replication, replication fork arrest, and telomere maintenance via lengthening. Rap1 localizes to the nucleus, telomeric repeat regions, and the meiotic spindle pole body. Related genes in other species are linked to the telosome complex.