Mutation in TERT separates processivity from anchor-site function

Telomerase shows repeat-addition processivity (RAP): synthesis of multiple telomeric DNA repeats without primer dissociation. Leu14 mutants in the telomerase essential N-terminal domain of Tetrahymena thermophila telomerase reverse transcriptase retain full activity and anchor-site function but lose RAP, suggesting models for how this domain facilitates DNA translocation.