What does the WRN gene code for?

What does the WRN gene code for?

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.

What is the gene code for helicase?

The ATRX gene encodes the ATP-dependent helicase, ATRX (also known as XH2 and XNP) of the SNF2 subgroup family, that is thought to be responsible for functions such as chromatin remodeling, gene regulation, and DNA methylation.

What gene is mutated in Werner syndrome?

Werner syndrome is caused by abnormal changes (mutations) in the WRN gene. More than 80 different mutations of the WRN gene have been identified in individuals with the disorder.

What kind of mutation is Werner syndrome?

Werner syndrome follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, which means that a mutation must be present in both copies of the gene for a person to be affected. This means that both parents must pass on a gene mutation for a child to be affected.

What chromosome is helicase found on?

ATRX helicase mutations This helicase is located on the X chromosome (Xq13. 1-q21. 1), in the pericentromeric heterochromatin and binds to heterochromatin protein 1. Studies have shown that ATRX plays a role in rDNA methylation and is essential for embryonic development.

What class is the helicase?

However, the first eukaryotic DNA helicase was discovered in 1978. “Helicase is a class of motor protein that unwinds nucleic acids using the energy molecules. “ ~1% of the human genome encodes genes for various helicases, 31 DNA helicases and 64 RNA helicases are encoded by those genes.

Where is the Zn located in Werner syndrome protein?

Werner syndrome protein and Bloom syndrome protein share three structurally folded domains comprising an ATPase domain, an RQC domain (colored blue in WRN and cyan in BLM) and an HRDC domain (green and pink, respectively). The Zn subdomain (yellow) is located at the C-terminal end of the ATPase domain.

Where are exonuclease domains located in WRN and BLM?

The two proteins share the structured ATPase, RQC, and HRDC domains, while an exonuclease domain is present only at the N terminus of WRN.

How does WRN play a role in DNA repair?

Plays a role in double-strand break repair after gamma-irradiation. “A minimal exonuclease domain of WRN forms a hexamer on DNA and possesses both 3′- 5′ exonuclease and 5′-protruding strand endonuclease activities.” Cited for: FUNCTION, MUTAGENESIS OF GLU-84, FUNCTION AS AN EXONUCLEASE, DNA-BINDING, INTERACTION WITH PCNA, SUBUNIT.

How does WRN function as an exonuclease?

“A minimal exonuclease domain of WRN forms a hexamer on DNA and possesses both 3′- 5′ exonuclease and 5′-protruding strand endonuclease activities.” Cited for: FUNCTION, MUTAGENESIS OF GLU-84, FUNCTION AS AN EXONUCLEASE, DNA-BINDING, INTERACTION WITH PCNA, SUBUNIT. “Werner syndrome protein interacts functionally with translesion DNA polymerases.”