Tankyrase contributes to telomere maintenance (Canudas et al., 2007, Dynek and Smith, 2004, Smith et al., 1998), which together with Wnt signaling is relevant to stem cell renewal, development, and certain types of cancer (Bernardes de Jesus and Blasco, 2013, Clevers et al., 2014). The gene discussed is TNKS; the disease is cancer.