2. Werner Syndrome:
What Is It?
-Werner Syndrome is a mutation of the WRN gene.
-The WRN gene is a helicase enzyme which separates and unwinds
double stranded DNA, which is necessary for DNA to be copied for cell
division.
-It is also responsible for making the blue print of a gene for protein
production.
-Lastly, it’s also believed to play a role in repairing DNA.
3. Werner Syndrome:
What it does?
✤ Werner Syndrome is a genetic disease which causes rapid aging.
✤ A person who has this disease will age normally until puberty at that
point the speed of aging will increase.
✤ As seen in the opening slide a person who has aged ten years can look
as though they’ve aged 25years.
✤ Werner Syndrome also raises a persons chances of getting cancer.
4. Werner Syndrome:
How you get it?
✤ To inherit Werner Syndrome both copies of the WRN gene in the cells
must be mutated.
✤ When inherited, each parent carries one copy of the mutated gene.
✤ Typically, parents will show no signs.
5. Werner Syndrome:
The Numbers
✤ In the United States, an estimated 1 in 200,000 individuals are affected
by Werner Syndrome.
✤ In Japan the syndrome is much more common affecting an estimated
1 in 20,000 to 1 in 40,000 individuals.
6. Werner Syndrome:
Signs and Symptoms
✤ A person with Werner Syndrome will show signs if the disease in
their teenage years.
✤ They typically will not experience a growth spurt during their teen
years.
✤ Their signs of aging such as gray hair and hair loss will occur in their
20’s.
✤ In their 30’s things that may occur are cataracts, type 2 diabetes, and
osteoporosis.
7. Werner Syndrome:
The End
✤ The most common cause of death for people diagnosed with Werner
Syndrome is cancer or heart attack.
✤ The life expectancy is average of 48 years.
