Role of DEAD/DEAH-box helicases in immunity, infection and cancers.

ABSTRACT: DEAD/DEAH-box helicases (DDX) are integral RNA-binding proteins within the RNA helicase superfamily 2 (SF2), characterized by distinct DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) and DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) motifs. These motifs delineate two subfamilies: DEAD-box (DDX) and DEAH-box (DHX). DEAD-box proteins predominantly facilitate localized non-processive RNA duplex destabilization, whereas DEAH-box helicases mediate processive RNA translocation and unwinding. This functional dichotomy is attributed to Asp-to-His substitution in the DEAH motif, which modulates ATP hydrolysis and conformational dynamics. DEAD-box helicases have been implicated in critical cellular processes, including translation, splicing, and RNA decay. In contrast, DEAH-box proteins play pivotal roles in splicing, ribosome biogenesis, and RNA

SUBMITTER: Devasahayam Arokia Balaya R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12178073 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature