Telomere length regulation protein TEN1 homolog (TEN1)

TEN1 is a key component of the CST complex (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) responsible for regulating telomere length and facilitating DNA replication at chromosome ends[2][10]. In mammals, TEN1 supports C-strand synthesis after telomerase activity and is critical for telomere duplex replication and genome-wide replication restart[1][6][10]. TEN1 forms a stable protein complex with STN1 and CTC1, with all subunits contributing to telomere homeostasis but playing distinct roles. While CTC1 and STN1 are essential for limiting telomerase activity, TEN1 stabilizes CST complex binding to single-stranded DNA and is required for the fill-in synthesis of the complementary strand[1][6]. Disruption of TEN1 function leads to telomere shortening, chromosomal instability, and compromised cellular proliferation, underscoring its importance in genome maintenance[6][4]. Although highly relevant for fundamental telomere biology and implicated in tumor cell survival mechanisms, TEN1 itself has not been established as a direct therapeutic target.

Other names

TEN1CST complex subunit TEN1C17orf106FLJ39785Telomere length regulation protein TEN1 homologCST complex subunit TEN1, telomerase capping complex subunit homologProtein telomeric pathways with STN1 homologTelomeric pathways in association with Stn1, number 1