WRN RecQ like helicase
Last updated 27 Jun 2022
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
The WRN gene provides instructions for producing the Werner protein, which plays a critical role in repairing damaged DNA. The Werner protein functions as a type of enzyme called a helicase. Helicase enzymes generally unwind and separate double-stranded DNA. The Werner protein also functions as an enzyme called an exonuclease. Exonucleases trim the broken ends of damaged DNA by removing DNA building blocks (nucleotides). Research suggests that the Werner protein first unwinds the DNA and then removes abnormal DNA structures that have been accidentally generated.
Normal function
The WRN gene provides instructions for producing the Werner protein, which plays a critical role in repairing damaged DNA. The Werner protein functions as a type of enzyme called a helicase. Helicase enzymes generally unwind and separate double-stranded DNA. The Werner protein also functions as an enzyme called an exonuclease. Exonucleases trim the broken ends of damaged DNA by removing DNA building blocks (nucleotides). Research suggests that the Werner protein first unwinds the DNA and then removes abnormal DNA structures that have been accidentally generated.
Overall, the Werner protein helps maintain the structure and integrity of a person's DNA. This protein plays an important role in copying (replicating) DNA before cell division and transferring the information in genes to the cell machinery that makes proteins (transcription). Additionally, recent studies suggest that the Werner protein may be particularly important for maintaining DNA at the ends of chromosomes (telomeres).
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
RECQ3
RECQL2
RECQL3
Werner syndrome
Werner Syndrome helicase
Werner syndrome protein
Werner syndrome, RecQ helicase-like
WRN_HUMAN
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Venlafaxine and Wellbutrin together?
Using other medicines Taking multiple medicines. Our Medicines Interaction Checker helps you check whether your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements are safe to take together. Simply search for your medicines to see potential interactions and what to do about them. Disclaimer This information is for general educational.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Lansoprazole and Rivaroxaban together?
...nce of a significant interaction between lansoprazole and rivaroxabanDisclaimer This information is for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your medications..
Patient information leaflet
Ganglion
A ganglion cyst is a harmless fluid-filled lump which can occur near joints or tendons. They are most commonly found on the wrists or hands. They are harmless but can cause discomfort, pain and weakness. Sometime... What is a ganglion cyst. A ganglion cyst is a small swelling that contains a thick jelly-like material. It looks and feels like a.
Patient information leaflet
Dealing with eye injuries
This leaflet is created from first aid advice provided by St John Ambulance, the nation's leading first aid charity. This advice is no substitute for first aid training - find a training course near you. Eye injuries vary from something very minor, such as getting shampoo in your eye, to something quite serious, such as a cut, which could cause.
Patient information leaflet
Can I take Levothyroxine and Venlafaxine together?
However, if ... Additionally, both medications can occasionally affect your heart rate or rhythm, particularly if your levothyroxine dose is too high. Why this happens Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone replacement, and venlafaxine is an antidepressant (SNRI). They do not interfere with each other's absorption or metabolism in the liver. However,.
Patient information leaflet
Functional neurological disorder
The term functional neurological disorder encompasses a wide range of symptoms that are often very debilitating. Doctors tend to categorise these symptoms according to their medical frame of reference, but often fail. Functional neurological disorders have no formal way of being diagnosed by doctors. They can, however, be treated. What are.
Further reading and references
- WRN RecQ like helicase; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Agrelo R, Cheng WH, Setien F, Ropero S, Espada J, Fraga MF, Herranz M, Paz MF, Sanchez-Cespedes M, Artiga MJ, Guerrero D, Castells A, von Kobbe C, Bohr VA, Esteller M. Epigenetic inactivation of the premature aging Werner syndrome gene in human cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jun 6;103(23):8822-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0600645103. Epub 2006 May 24.
- Cheng WH, Muftuoglu M, Bohr VA. Werner syndrome protein: functions in the response to DNA damage and replication stress in S-phase. Exp Gerontol. 2007 Sep;42(9):871-8. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2007.04.011. Epub 2007 May 10.
- Comai L, Li B. The Werner syndrome protein at the crossroads of DNA repair and apoptosis. Mech Ageing Dev. 2004 Aug;125(8):521-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2004.06.004.
- Futami K, Ishikawa Y, Goto M, Furuichi Y, Sugimoto M. Role of Werner syndrome gene product helicase in carcinogenesis and in resistance to genotoxins by cancer cells. Cancer Sci. 2008 May;99(5):843-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.00778.x. Epub 2008 Feb 26.
- Huang S, Lee L, Hanson NB, Lenaerts C, Hoehn H, Poot M, Rubin CD, Chen DF, Yang CC, Juch H, Dorn T, Spiegel R, Oral EA, Abid M, Battisti C, Lucci-Cordisco E, Neri G, Steed EH, Kidd A, Isley W, Showalter D, Vittone JL, Konstantinow A, Ring J, Meyer P, Wenger SL, von Herbay A, Wollina U, Schuelke M, Huizenga CR, Leistritz DF, Martin GM, Mian IS, Oshima J. The spectrum of WRN mutations in Werner syndrome patients. Hum Mutat. 2006 Jun;27(6):558-67. doi: 10.1002/humu.20337.
- Kudlow BA, Kennedy BK, Monnat RJ Jr. Werner and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndromes: mechanistic basis of human progeroid diseases. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2007 May;8(5):394-404. doi: 10.1038/nrm2161.
- Lee JW, Harrigan J, Opresko PL, Bohr VA. Pathways and functions of the Werner syndrome protein. Mech Ageing Dev. 2005 Jan;126(1):79-86. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2004.09.011.
- Monnat RJ Jr, Saintigny Y. Werner syndrome protein--unwinding function to explain disease. Sci Aging Knowledge Environ. 2004 Mar 31;2004(13):re3. doi: 10.1126/sageke.2004.13.re3.
- Opresko PL, Calvo JP, von Kobbe C. Role for the Werner syndrome protein in the promotion of tumor cell growth. Mech Ageing Dev. 2007 Jul-Aug;128(7-8):423-36. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2007.05.009. Epub 2007 May 31.
- Oshima J, Hisama FM. Werner Syndrome. 2002 Dec 2 [updated 2026 Mar 25]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1514/
- Ozgenc A, Loeb LA. Current advances in unraveling the function of the Werner syndrome protein. Mutat Res. 2005 Sep 4;577(1-2):237-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2005.03.020.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.