TIN2, a new regulator of telomere length in human cells

Telomeres are DNA-protein structures that cap linear chromosomes and are essential for maintaining genomic stability and cell phenotype. We identified a novel human telomere-associated protein, TIN2, by interaction cloning using the telomeric DNA-binding-protein TRF1 as a bait. TIN2 interacted with TRF1 in vitro and in cells, and co-localized with TRF1 in nuclei and metaphase chromosomes. A mutant TIN2 that lacks amino-terminal sequences effects elongated human telomeres in a telomerase-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that TRF1 is insufficient for control of telomere length in human cells, and that TIN2 is an essential mediator of TRF1 function.