The telosome/shelterin complex and its functions

Abstract

The telomeres that cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes serve a dual role in protecting the chromosome ends and in intracellular signaling for regulating cell proliferation. A complex of six telomere-associated proteins has been identified--the telosome or shelterin complex--that is crucial for both the maintenance of telomere structure and its signaling functions.

Figure 1

The telomere interactome. This diagram depicts most of the known protein-protein interactions centered on telomeric proteins. The telosome is shaded in blue. Lines indicate protein-protein interactions, yellow dots indicate nodes and red dots indicate protein hubs.