rcq-5
C. elegans
ATP-dependent DNA helicase
What the model saw
Gene: rcq-5 Organism: Caenorhabditis elegans Known functions: ATP-dependent DNA helicase. 3'-5' DNA helicase activity. ATP binding. ATP hydrolysis activity. four-way junction helicase activity. helicase activity. nucleic acid binding.
View unredacted entry
ATP-dependent DNA helicase. 3'-5' DNA helicase activity. ATP binding. ATP hydrolysis activity. four-way junction helicase activity. helicase activity. nucleic acid binding.
Solver output
rcq-5 encodes a RecQ-family ATP-dependent DNA helicase in C. elegans, orthologous to human RecQ helicases (e.g., WRN, BLM, RECQL4). Its 3'-5' helicase activity and four-way (Holliday) junction resolution activity are hallmarks of RecQ helicases that maintain genome integrity by resolving aberrant DNA structures during replication and repair. Loss-of-function mutations in RecQ helicases in humans cause progeroid syndromes (Werner, Bloom, Rothmund-Thomson), directly linking this family to accelerated aging. By suppressing replication fork collapse, resolving recombination intermediates, and preventing accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, rcq-5 normal function reduces genomic instability—a primary hallmark of aging. Maintenance of genomic integrity through this helicase activity is therefore expected to promote longevity.
GenAge curators classify each gene's normal function as promoting (Pro-Longevity) or opposing (Anti-Longevity) longevity, based on synthesis across studies. Loss-of-function effects can vary from this depending on the manipulation.
Advisor judgment
The model correctly predicted pro_longevity for rcq-5 with high confidence (0.82). The mechanistic reasoning is excellent: it correctly identifies rcq-5 as a RecQ-family helicase, draws the appropriate analogy to human RecQ helicases (WRN, BLM, RECQL4) and their associated progeroid syndromes, and explains how genomic stability maintenance through this helicase promotes longevity. The key pathways identified (RecQ helicase-mediated DNA repair, Holliday junction resolution, replication fork stabilization) are all mechanistically sound and relevant. The reasoning is well-structured and scientifically accurate.
Raw API responses
solver
{
"reasoning": "rcq-5 encodes a RecQ-family ATP-dependent DNA helicase in C. elegans, orthologous to human RecQ helicases (e.g., WRN, BLM, RECQL4). Its 3'-5' helicase activity and four-way (Holliday) junction resolution activity are hallmarks of RecQ helicases that maintain genome integrity by resolving aberrant DNA structures during replication and repair. Loss-of-function mutations in RecQ helicases in humans cause progeroid syndromes (Werner, Bloom, Rothmund-Thomson), directly linking this family to accelerated aging. By suppressing replication fork collapse, resolving recombination intermediates, and preventing accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, rcq-5 normal function reduces genomic instability—a primary hallmark of aging. Maintenance of genomic integrity through this helicase activity is therefore expected to promote longevity.",
"confidence": 0.82,
"key_pathways": [
"RecQ helicase-mediated DNA repair",
"Holliday junction resolution / homologous recombination",
"replication fork stabilization"
],
"mechanism_class": "genomic_instability",
"longevity_influence": "pro_longevity"
}advisor
{
"notes": "The model correctly predicted pro_longevity for rcq-5 with high confidence (0.82). The mechanistic reasoning is excellent: it correctly identifies rcq-5 as a RecQ-family helicase, draws the appropriate analogy to human RecQ helicases (WRN, BLM, RECQL4) and their associated progeroid syndromes, and explains how genomic stability maintenance through this helicase promotes longevity. The key pathways identified (RecQ helicase-mediated DNA repair, Holliday junction resolution, replication fork stabilization) are all mechanistically sound and relevant. The reasoning is well-structured and scientifically accurate.",
"failure_mode": "correct",
"answer_correct": true,
"mechanism_correct": true,
"reasoning_quality": 5,
"ground_truth_questionable": false
}