Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 3.2)
Exhibits 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Involved in several processes, including chromosome organization; multicellular organism aging; and regulation of growth rate. Localizes to chromosome, telomeric region; nucleoplasm; and replication fork. Is expressed in coelomic epithelium of testis; metanephros; and spleen. Used to study Werner syndrome. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Werner syndrome; breast cancer; coronary artery disease (multiple); diffuse scleroderma; and senile cataract. Orthologous to human WRN (WRN RecQ like helicase).