Genome instability as a cause of ageing and cancer: Implications of RecQ helicases

Members of the RecQ helicase family are mutated in several human genomic instability syndromes, such as Werner and Bloom syndromes. The syndromes are characterized by premature ageing and cancer predisposition, respectively, and are therefore extensively used as model systems for studies of ageing and cancer. RecQ homologues are widely expressed enzymes, and genetic and biochemical investigations have pointed to their involvement in homologous recombinational DNA repair pathways. In the review we will focus on the implications of RecQ helicases for genome maintenance with specific emphasis on the homologues found in yeast.