Werner syndrome protein: Biochemical properties and functional interactions

V. A. Bohr, M. Cooper, D. Orren, A. Machwe, J. Piotrowski, J. Sommers, P. Karmakar, R. Brosh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Werner syndrome is a premature aging syndrome displaying numerous signs and symptoms found in normal aging. The disease is associated with a mutation in the WRN gene. We have purified the Werner protein (WRN) and studied its biochemical activities and its protein interactions. WRN is a helicase and an exonuclease and also has an associated ATPase activity. WRN interacts physically and functionally with replication protein A (RPA), which stimulates its helicase activity. We have studied the WRN exonuclease activity and found that it can be blocked by certain DNA lesions and not by others. Thus, while WRN does not bind to DNA damage, it may have properties that allow it to sense the presence of damage in DNA. More recently we have found other protein interactions that involve physical and functional interactions with WRN, which could suggest a role for WRN in DNA repair. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)695-702
Number of pages8
JournalExperimental Gerontology
Volume35
Issue number6-7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • DNA repair
  • Replication protein
  • Werner syndrome protein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Aging
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

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