Volume 36, Issue 2, Pages 168-169 (October 2009) The CST Complex and Telomere Maintenance: The Exception Becomes the Rule  Raymund J. Wellinger  Molecular Cell  Volume 36, Issue 2, Pages 168-169 (October 2009) DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2009.10.001 Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Proposed Functions of a Common CST Complex On virtually all eukaryotic telomeres, there is an overhang of the 3′ end (red). In all cases, the CST complex displays similarities with RPA, and its functions are thought to be mediated by its association with single-stranded DNA. The data suggest that the complex is involved in at least two of three functions in all organisms. (Top) In some organisms, the CST complex has a high specificity toward those 3′ end sequences and therefore would be ideally placed for protecting chromosome ends from exonucleases (capping function). (Middle) The CST complex also interacts with DNA polymerase α (Pol α) and telomerase (T′ase) to orchestrate the synthesis of both strands of telomeric repeats. (Bottom) The CST complex may assist DNA polymerase α elsewhere in the genome with difficult-to-replicate DNA elements. Molecular Cell 2009 36, 168-169DOI: (10.1016/j.molcel.2009.10.001) Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions