TRF1 is a stem cell marker and is essential for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells

TRF-1 is a telomere-binding protein that protects chromosome ends from degradation. Schneider and colleagues show that TRF1 is a marker of adult stem cell compartments and of induced pluripotent stem cells, and that TRF1 is essential for the induction and maintenance of pluripotency.