The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the RecQ DNA helicase family. DNA helicases are enzymes involved in various types of DNA repair, including mismatch repair, nucleotide excision repair and direct repair. The encoded protein is involved in the processing of Holliday junctions, the suppression of sister chromatid exchanges, telomere maintenance, and is required for genotoxic stress resistance. Defects in this gene have been associated with several types of cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2017].