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Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Dynamics of Eukaryotic DNA Replication Through Single-Molecule Visualization
Published on: September 27, 2024
Genome-wide investigations on regulatory functions of RECQ1 helicase
Subrata Debnath1, Xing Lu1, Ashish Lal2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States.
Abstract:
DNA helicase RECQ1 (also known as RECQL or RECQL1) is a candidate breast cancer susceptibility gene significantly correlated with clinical outcomes of sporadic breast cancer patients. Prior studies have suggested that RECQ1 maintains genomic stability by regulating a wide variety of core cellular functions including DNA replication, DNA damage response, and transcription. However, it is unclear which, if any, of these are the primary functions of RECQ1 as related to its role in suppressing breast cancer. We describe here an unbiased integrative genomics approach that enabled us to discover a previously unknown regulatory role of RECQ1 in promoting Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) expression and the expression of specific ERα target genes in ER positive breast cancer cells. We discuss potential future applications of similar experimental strategies in advancing the mechanistic understanding and elucidating specific new details of genome-wide functions of RECQ1 and other RecQ helicases in maintaining genomic stability and preventing cancer.
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