The telomeric complex has been analyzed in detail for its role in regulating telomere protection and telomere length. Now, modern genome-editing techniques in human embryonic stem cells reveal TPP1 as the essential recruitment factor for telomerase, with additional functions in telomerase activation and definition of telomere length homeostasis.
Keywords: embryonic stem cells; human genome engineering; shelterin; telomerase; telomere maintenance.
© 2014 Karlseder; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.