“ZOOMING IN on the complex that solves the ‘End-replication’ problem”

The human CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST) complex plays an important role in telomere replication and length maintenance. In cells, CST aids the C-strand synthesis by DNA Polymerase alpha-primase complex. In vitro, CST can bind ssDNA and ss-dsDNA junctions containing telomeric repeats. It also physically interacts with Shelterin complex that binds and protects the telomeres. However, it is not known how CST perform all these functions and to address this question we aim to resolve the structure of CST complex in the presence of its various partners using cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM).