Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomerase-independent pathway that enables cancer cells to maintain their telomeres. Here, using Oxford Nanopore sequencing, the authors uncover molecular milestones during ALT establishment in yeast and demonstrate that telomere extension proceeds through highly error prone copying of telomeric circles.
- Meng-Chia Tsai
- Jacob M. Wells
- Anna Malkova
