TERT mRNA peaks during meiotic prophase in Tetrahymena thermophila as determined by RT-qPCR.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression increases during sexual development in Tetrahymena thermophila , when thousands of new chromosome ends require telomere addition. To define the timing of TERT mRNA accumulation, we combined cytological staging with RT-qPCR across conjugation stages. DAPI microscopy was used to score micronuclear and macronuclear morphology. TERT mRNA increased early in conjugation, peaked during meiotic prophase (crescent stage), remained elevated through post-crescent meiosis, and declined during macronuclear development before extensive de novo telomere addition. These data agree with earlier work but provide improved quantitative, temporal and cytological resolution, showing that peak TERT mRNA accumulation precedes large-scale telomere addition.