該基因編碼dna螺旋酶蛋白recq亞家族的一個成員。編碼的核蛋白在維持基因組穩定性中起著重要作用，在dna修復、復制、轉錄和端粒維持中發揮著重要作用。該蛋白在其中心區域包含一個n端3'到5'的外切酶域、一個atp依賴的螺旋酶域和rqc（recq螺旋酶保守區）域，以及一個c端hrdc（螺旋酶rnase d c端）域和核定位信號。該基因缺陷是werner綜合征的病因，這是一種常染色體隱性遺傳疾病，其特征是加速衰老和某些癌癥的風險增加。
This gene encodes a member of the RecQ subfamily of DNA helicase proteins. The encoded nuclear protein is important in the maintenance of genome stability and plays a role in DNA repair, replication, transcription and telomere maintenance. This protein contains a N-terminal 3' to 5' exonuclease domain, an ATP-dependent helicase domain and RQC (RecQ helicase conserved region) domain in its central region, and a C-terminal HRDC (helicase RNase D C-terminal) domain and nuclear localization signal. Defects in this gene are the cause of Werner syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by accelerated aging and an elevated risk for certain cancers.