text: A RecQ helicase is one of a family of helicases that helps reduce sister chromatid exchange during meiosis to lower mutation rates. RecQ helicases are found in many organisms, ranging from E. coli to humans. One of these helicases, the Bloom syndrome protein, contains an arginine finger which assists in its hydrolysis of ATP. In humans, the arginine finger of the Bloom syndrome protein is Arg982. The RecQ helicase, along with most proteins containing arginine fingers, is inhibited by sodium orthovanadate, which interferes with the arginine finger residue.