• • 
  Introduction

  • ‐ 
    Telomeres, telomerase and their roles in genome stability
  • ‐ 
    Telomere DNA replication: not a cake walk for the replication fork
• • 
  Functions of replication proteins in telomere maintenance

  • ‐ 
    DNA polymerase a‐primase (pola/primase)
  • ‐ 
    Replication protein A
  • ‐ 
    RecQ helicases
  • ‐ 
    Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1)
  • ‐ 
    Dna2
• • 
  Functions of telomere binding proteins in telomere replication

  • ‐ 
    TRF1
  • ‐ 
    TRF2
  • ‐ 
    Apollo
  • ‐ 
    POT1
• • 
  The delayed telomeric C‐strand synthesis at late S/G2 phase –   an additional regulatory step of telomere maintenance

  • ‐ 
    The CST complex
• • 
  Conclusions and perspectives

Faithful replication of chromosomes is essential for maintaining genome stability. Telomeres, the chromosomal termini, pose quite a challenge to replication machinery due to the complexity in their structures and sequences. Efficient and complete replication of chromosomes is critical to prevent aberrant telomeres as well as to avoid unnecessary loss of telomere DNA. Compelling evidence supports the emerging picture of synergistic actions between DNA replication proteins and telomere protective components in telomere synthesis. This review discusses the actions of various replication and telomere‐specific binding proteins that ensure accurate telomere replication and their roles in telomere maintenance and protection.