Genetic and Epigenetic Insights into Werner Syndrome

Abstract

Werner syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature aging and cancer predisposition, caused by loss of function mutations in WRN gene. To date, more than 70 different pathogenic variants have been identified across the WRN locus, with an increasing number of newly reported mutations. Even if the clinical phenotypes of WS seem to be indistinguishable among the different WRN mutation types, a certain genotype/phenotype correlation has been identified, especially regarding the predisposition to certain type of malignant disease. Along this line, the knowledge of the genetic aspects related to WRN is a fascinating land still object of intensive studies. Summary and Key Messages: In this review, we discuss both the genetic and epigenetic regulations of the WRN gene, with a special focus on the pathogenic variants that have been identified in the WRN locus across different populations. Indeed, we think that investigating these aspects is the basis starting from which is it possible to depict WRN role in aging and cancer development processes, with the final goal of opening new perspectives for future therapeutic strategies directed to the treatment not only of this syndrome, for which, to date, there is no cure, but also of many types of malignant diseases and all those disturbs related to the physiological aging.

Keywords: Cancer predisposition; Epigenetics; Genetics; Premature aging; Werner syndrome.