DNA Music: How Telomerase Translation Sounds – The Melody of TERT Isoform 2 Protein
Introduction
At the boundary between life and time exists one of the most enigmatic proteins in the human body telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT).
This protein is responsible for maintaining telomere length the protective “caps” at chromosome ends that determine cellular aging.
In the “Adaris Genome Music Project“, we translate molecular processes into musical structures. This time, the object of musical translation is TERT isoform 2, a shortened variant of human telomerase reverse transcriptase.
We recreate the sonic landscape of how the TERT protein is assembled in the ribosome, when its amino acid sequence is translated into notes and performed by various instruments.
Data Source
- Protein: Telomerase reverse transcriptase isoform 2 (Homo sapiens)
- NCBI Protein: NP_001180305
The complete amino acid sequence of this telomerase variant is used for the musical construction.
Telomerase: The Life-Extending Protein
TERT is the key catalytic component of telomerase.
Its functions include:
- Maintaining telomere length
- Enabling cell division without chromosome shortening
- Protecting the genome from degradation
- Participating in the regulation of aging, oncogenesis, and cellular immortality
The music of this protein is a sonic image of time, regeneration, and cyclicality.
How TERT Isoform 2 Translation Sounds in the Ribosome
Each amino acid → a note Each domain → a musical section Each functional motif → timbre, rhythm, mood
1. Introduction — The Sound of Time’s Genesis
The initial TERT protein sequence forms an “initiating motif.”
It sounds like:
- Smooth low notes
- Soft electronic syntheses
- A sense of “mechanism” (starting the mechanism)
This is a symbolic moment: telomerase starts the clock of cellular time.
2. RNA-Binding Domain – Spiral Melody
TERT contains regions that bind to telomerase RNA.
Sound characteristics:
- Progressive ascending motifs
- Alternating string and electronic timbres
- Effect of spiral movement
This conveys the protein’s coupling with the template, forming the core of the telomerase complex.
3. Reverse Transcriptase – The Composition’s Core
The main catalytic domain of TERT creates the rhythmic “heart” of the melody.
Musical correspondences:
- Stable pulsating rhythm
- Deep resonant bass tones
- Periodic bursts of high notes (like strikes of polymerase activity)
- Repeating musical phrases reflecting the cyclical nature of telomere extension
This is the “song of molecular life extension.”
4. Linkers and Flexible Regions – Free Improvisations
Some telomerase regions possess increased mobility.
Musically, this translates to:
- Tempo changes
- Jazz inflections
- Sound “glissandos” and soft syncopations
These sections bring human organicity and unpredictability to the composition.
5. Conclusion – Dissolution of Time
The terminal section of TERT isoform 2 is shorter than the full version, so the melody ends more softly than other proteins.
Sound characteristics:
- Gradual timbre dissipation
- Fading reverberant tail
- Sensation of slow disappearance
Telomeres shorten. The music dissolves just as cellular time does.
Musical Correspondences of TERT Amino Acids
- Acidic (Glu, Asp) → dark low notes, “heavy steps of time”
- Basic (Lys, Arg) → bright pulsed sounds of “catalytic flashes”
- Hydrophobic (Leu, Ile, Val, Met) → deep, viscous bass
- Aromatic (Phe, Tyr, Trp) → broad “cosmic” timbres
- Gly, Pro → sharp rhythmic breaks
- Ser, Thr, Gln → soft transitions between sections
The predominance of certain amino acids creates a dark, meditative, “cosmic” atmosphere associated with telomerase function.
Composition Architecture
- TERT isoform 2 amino acid sequence (NP_001180305) obtained
- Each amino acid translated into a note from the selected musical scale
- Domain structures represented through different instruments:
- Catalytic center → synthesizer + organ
- RNA-binding regions → strings
- Flexible linker regions → flutes, keys
- Musical form created reflecting the protein’s molecular function
- Result — composition: “DNA Music: TERT Isoform 2 – Timekeeper Sequence”
Conclusion
Translating the telomerase reverse transcriptase sequence into music creates a rare, profound image. This is the sound of:
- Cellular immortality
- Molecular time
- Telomere stabilization
- The genome’s “perpetual motion machine” at work
The music of TERT is one of the most philosophical pieces in the “Adaris Genome Music Project“.