Werner syndrome is an autosomal recessive human genetic instability syndrome that mimics premature aging. Patients with Werner syndrome appear to age rapidly after puberty and are at increased risk of developing age-dependent, clinically important diseases such as cancer, atherosclerotic vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis.
This website contains information on the spectrum of mutations in the chromosome 8p WRN locus that have been identified in Werner syndrome patients. You will also find information on coding region polymorphisms in the WRN gene, and other useful information on the WRN gene and protein.
For information on clinical features and diagnosis of Werner syndrome and on molecular screening for WRN mutations in suspected Werner syndrome patients, please see the companion website of the International Registry of Werner Syndrome and Gene Reviews's disease description