Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 5.4.0)
Enables 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Involved in DNA replication and G-quadruplex DNA unwinding. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including determination of adult lifespan; regulation of growth rate; and replicative senescence. Located in 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).