The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000178971 (CTC1, CST telomere replication complex component 1) is as follows. Component of the CST complex proposed to act as a specialized replication factor promoting DNA replication under conditions of replication stress or natural replication barriers such as the telomere duplex. The CST complex binds single-stranded DNA with high affinity in a sequence-independent manner, while isolated subunits bind DNA with low affinity by themselves. Initially the CST complex has been proposed to protect telomeres from DNA degradation (PubMed:19854130). However, the CST complex has been shown to be involved in several aspects of telomere replication. The CST complex inhibits telomerase and is involved in telomere length homeostasis; it is proposed to bind to newly telomerase-synthesized 3' overhangs and to terminate telomerase action implicating the association with the ACD:POT1 complex thus interfering with its telomerase stimulation activity. The CST complex is also proposed to be involved in fill-in synthesis of the telomeric C-strand probably implicating recruitment and activation of DNA polymerase alpha (PubMed:22763445). The CST complex facilitates recovery from many forms of exogenous DNA damage; seems to be involved in the re-initiation of DNA replication at repaired forks and/or dormant origins (PubMed:25483097). Involved in telomere maintenance (PubMed:19854131, PubMed:22863775). Involved in genome stability (PubMed:22863775). May be in involved in telomeric C-strand fill-in during late S/G2 phase (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q5SUQ9, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19854130, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19854131, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22763445, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22863775, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25483097}.