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A novel Werner Syndrome mutation: pharmacological treatment by read-through of nonsense mutations and epigenetic therapies.

Authors: Ruben R. Agrelo, Miguel Arocena MA. Sutz, Fernando F. Setien, Fabian F. Aldunate, Manel M. Esteller, Valeria V. Da Costa, Ricardo R. Achenbach
Published: 04/17/2015, Epigenetics

Abstract

Werner Syndrome (WS) is a rare inherited disease characterized by premature aging and increased propensity for cancer. Mutations in the WRN gene can be of several types, including nonsense mutations, leading to a truncated protein form. WRN is a RecQ family member with both helicase and exonuclease activities, and it participates in several cell metabolic pathways, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Here, we reported a novel homozygous WS mutation (c.3767 C > G) in 2 Argentinian brothers, which resulted in a stop codon and a truncated protein (p.S1256X). We also observed increased WRN promoter methylation in the cells of patients and decreased messenger WRN RNA (WRN mRNA) expression. Finally, we showed that the read-through of nonsense mutation pharmacologic treatment with both aminoglycosides (AGs) and ataluren (PTC-124) in these cells restores full-length protein expression and WRN functionality.

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