WRN at telomeres: implications for aging and cancer
Abstract
Werner Syndrome (WS) is a premature aging syndrome characterized by early onset of age-related pathologies and cancer. Since WS is due to a single gene defect, it has attracted much interest from researchers seeking to understand pathways that contribute to cancer and aging at cellular and molecular levels. The protein mutated in WS, WRN, appears to play a major role in genome stability, particularly during DNA replication and telomere metabolism. Much of the pathophysiology associated with WS, including the rapid onset of cellular senescence, early cancer onset and premature aging, can be attributed to a defect in telomere maintenance. Recent genetic evidence from the mTerc–/–Wrn–/– mouse demonstrates that mice with critically shortened telomeres display aging phenotypes reminiscent of human WS, further reinforcing the notion that telomere dysfunction is required for the manifestation of aging pathophysiologies in the setting of WRN deficiency.
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SIRT6 is required for the stable association of WRN, the factor mutated in Werner syndrome, at telomeric chromatin.
“At telomeric chromatin, SIRT6 deacetylates H3K9 and is required for the stable association of WRN, the factor that is mutated in Werner syndrome4,5.”
From SIRT6 is a histone H3 lysine 9 deacetylase that modulates telomeric chromatin (2008) · cites this paper as [5]
SIRT6-depleted cells exhibit abnormal telomere structures that resemble defects observed in Werner syndrome.
“Moreover, SIRT6-depleted cells exhibit abnormal telomere structures that resemble defects observed in Werner syndrome, a premature ageing disorder4,5.”
From SIRT6 is a histone H3 lysine 9 deacetylase that modulates telomeric chromatin (2008) · cites this paper as [5]
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- Authors
- Multani, A. S., & Chang, S.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Chang, Sandy
- Venue
- Journal of Cell Science
- Publisher
- The Company of Biologists
- Published
- 2007-03-01
- Volume
- 120
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 713-721
- ISSN
- 0021-9533 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-9137
- OpenAlex
- W1964881063
- Cited by
- 95
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cell Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG028888)
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA129037)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nuclear Structure and Function
- Keywords
- Werner syndrome, WRN protein, telomeres, telomere maintenance, premature aging, cellular senescence, cancer susceptibility, genome stability, DNA replication, telomere dysfunction
- MeSH terms
- Werner Syndrome Helicase, Aging, Animals, Exodeoxyribonucleases, Humans, Models, Biological, Mutation, Neoplasms, Werner Syndrome, Telomere, RecQ Helicases
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