Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1)

Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) is a highly conserved AAA+ ATPase that plays an essential role in maintaining genome integrity, primarily through its involvement in DNA replication and repair. WRNIP1 interacts with the WRN DNA helicase (mutated in Werner syndrome), DNA polymerase delta, RAD51, RAD18, and other replication/repair proteins, and contains an N-terminal ubiquitin-binding zinc finger domain, a central ATPase domain, and C-terminal leucine zipper motifs[2][4]. WRNIP1 functions in stabilization and restart of stalled replication forks, promotes translesion DNA synthesis upon DNA damage, and counteracts transcription-replication conflicts by resolving R-loops—non-canonical nucleic acid structures that disrupt genome stability if not properly managed[1][3][4]. Depletion of WRNIP1 leads to increased genomic instability, accumulation of G-quadruplex DNA structures, impaired DNA replication, and elevated DNA damage—defects that echo those found in aging and cancer. Though WRNIP1 is not directly targeted by approved drugs, it represents a promising therapeutic target candidate in diseases of genomic instability[1][2][4].

Other names

WRNIP1ATPase WRNIP1WHIPFLJ22526bA420G6.2FAP93CFAP93Werner helicase-interacting protein 1putative helicase RUVBL

Not applicable—no drugs currently target WRNIP1 directly.