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The Story of RNA Unfolded: The Molecular Function of DEAD- and DExH-Box ATPases and Their Complex Relationship with
Kerstin Dörner1, Maria Hondele1
1Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland;
Abstract:
DEAD- and DExH-box ATPases (DDX/DHXs) are abundant and highly conserved cellular enzymes ubiquitously involved in RNA processing. By remodeling RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions, they often function as gatekeepers that control the progression of diverse RNA maturation steps. Intriguingly, most DDX/DHXs localize to membraneless organelles (MLOs) such as nucleoli, nuclear speckles, stress granules, or processing bodies. Recent findings suggest not only that localization to MLOs can promote interaction between DDX/DHXs and their targets but also that DDX/DHXs are key regulators of MLO formation and turnover through their condensation and ATPase activity.In this review, we describe the molecular function of DDX/DHXs in ribosome biogenesis, messenger RNA splicing, export, translation, and storage or decay as well as their association with prominent MLOs. We discuss how the enzymatic function of DDX/DHXs in RNA processing is linked to DDX/DHX condensation, the accumulation of ribonucleoprotein particles and MLO dynamics. Future research will reveal how these processes orchestrate the RNA life cycle in MLO space and DDX/DHX time.
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