rcq-5 encodes an ATP-dependent DNA helicase that is a member of the RecQ family of DNA helicases; loss of rcq-5 activity via RNAi results in decreased lifespan and increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation; RCQ-5, a nuclear protein, is expressed in germ cells and oocytes, as well as in somatic cells from embryogenesis through adulthood, with highest levels of postembryonic expression seen in intestinal cells; mutations in rcq-5 exhibit synthetic lethality in combination with mutations in rtel-1, which encodes a functional analog of yeast Srs2 and vertebrate RTEL1, which negatively regulates homologous recombination.
Predicted to enable 3'-5' DNA helicase activity and four-way junction helicase activity. Predicted to be involved in DNA unwinding involved in DNA replication and double-strand break repair via homologous recombination. Located in nucleus. Expressed in several structures, including germ line; intestinal cell; and oocyte. Is an ortholog of human RECQL5 (RecQ like helicase 5).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.