Article
Immunology
Liyuan Liu, Silan Zhang, Feijie Zhi, Yinjuan Song, Bin Li, Pengchen Gao, Ying Zhang, Ke Ma, Jian Xu, Bo Jiang, Yuefeng Chu, Yongqing Li, Jianhua Qin
Summary: The DExD/H-box (DDX) family of RNA helicase proteins regulates host cellular RNA metabolism, and DDX5 has been found to play a role in viral replication and tumorigenesis. However, the regulation of intestinal microbiota by DDX family proteins has not been studied. In this research, DDX5 knockout mice were established using CRISPR/CAS9 technology and their intestinal microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. It was found that DDX5 has a significant effect on the composition and structure of the intestinal microbiota, suggesting its potential as a target for inflammation and tumorigenesis treatment in the intestine.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Steven M. Heaton, Paul R. Gorry, Natalie A. Borg
Summary: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective in reducing HIV-1 infection. However, the emergence of treatment-refractory variants remains a challenge. HIV-1 uses cellular helicases, including DDX3X, to facilitate its replication. Exploring these helicases may reveal new therapeutic targets and help prevent viral escape.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shumin Ying, Zhen Zhang, Yanan Zhang, Zhongna Hao, Rongyao Chai, Haiping Qiu, Yanli Wang, Xueming Zhu, Jiaoyu Wang, Guochang Sun, Fucheng Lin
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of DExD/H-box protein MoDHX35 in appressoria formation and virulence of the rice blast fungus, highlighting the involvement of DEAH-box proteins in the pathogenicity of plant fungal pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chi Xu, Zhanhui Zhang, Juan He, Yongsheng Bai, Jie Cui, Lin Liu, Jihua Tang, Guiliang Tang, Xuemei Chen, Beixin Mo
Summary: RCF1 is shown to play a role in pri-miRNA processing and splicing, as well as pre-mRNA splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana. A mutant with miRNA biogenesis defects was identified, and it was found to be caused by a recessive point mutation in RCF1 (rcf1-4). RCF1 promotes D-body formation and facilitates the interaction between pri-miRNAs and HYL1, and rcf1-4 exhibits a global splicing defect in intron-containing pri-miRNAs and pre-mRNAs. This study uncovers the importance of RCF1 in miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing in Arabidopsis.
Article
Microbiology
Hannah R. Foster, Xiaoxuan Lin, Sriram Srikant, Rachel R. Cueny, Tanya G. Falbel, James L. Keck, Rachelle Gaudet, Briana M. Burton
Summary: Competence, the ability of bacteria to take up and incorporate foreign DNA through natural transformation, is common in bacteria. This study found that ComFA protein translocates on single-stranded DNA and supports the hypothesis that it acts as a motor in DNA transport during natural transformation.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Mitchell A. Pallett, Yongxu Lu, Geoffrey L. Smith
Summary: The transcription factors IRF3 and NF-kappa B play crucial roles in the immune response to viral and bacterial pathogens. This study identifies DDX50 as a factor that promotes the activation of the IRF3 signaling pathway in response to viral RNA or infection with RNA and DNA viruses. Deletion of DDX50 impairs IRF3 phosphorylation and the expression of genes and cytokines involved in the immune response. Loss of DDX50 also leads to increased replication and dissemination of various viruses. The findings highlight the important role of DDX50 as a broad-ranging viral restriction factor.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pan Luo, Ce Shi, Yi Zhou, Jiao Zhou, Xuecheng Zhang, Yukun Wang, Yong Yang, Xiongbo Peng, Tingting Xie, Xingchun Tang
Summary: A nuclear-localized RNA helicase 13 (RH13) is essential for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis thaliana, with its loss leading to abnormal chloroplast structure and leaf morphogenesis. RH13 regulates the expression and alternative splicing of chloroplast-related genes, thereby impacting the expression levels of photosynthesis-related proteins.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Kai Qin, Danni Jian, Yaqiang Xue, Yi Cheng, Peng Zhang, Yaxun Wei, Jing Zhang, Huihua Xiong, Yi Zhang, Xianglin Yuan
Summary: Research has revealed the crucial role of DDX41 in regulating the cancer cell transcriptome, providing insight into its biological functions in inhibiting tumor cell growth and modulating cancer immunity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Venus, Kaba Tandjigora, Eckhard Jankowsky
Summary: The protein K7 from vaccinia virus is shown to inhibit the biochemical activities and cellular functions of DDX3X by binding to its N-terminus, restraining its association with stress granules.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Minato Hirano, Gaddiel Galarza-Munoz, Chloe Nagasawa, Geraldine Schott, Liuyang Wang, Alejandro L. Antonia, Vaibhav Jain, Xiaoying Yu, Steven G. Widen, Farren B. S. Briggs, Simon G. Gregory, Dennis C. Ko, William S. Fagg, Shelton Bradrick, Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco
Summary: This study identified genes associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) and revealed the important role of DDX39B gene in immune tolerance by controlling the expression of MS susceptibility genes and immune-related genes.
Review
Plant Sciences
Xindi Li, Changhao Li, Jiaying Zhu, Songxiao Zhong, Hongliang Zhu, Xiuren Zhang
Summary: RNA helicases play crucial roles in regulating plant physiology by participating in RNA processing and metabolism. This review focuses on the characterization of RH-featured domains and signature motifs in Arabidopsis, and summarizes the functions and mechanisms of RHs, particularly DEAD-box and DEAH-box RNA helicases, in various biological processes in plants.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Yaqiong Jin, Jin Shi, Huanmin Wang, Jie Lu, Chenghao Chen, Yongbo Yu, Yaru Wang, Yeran Yang, Dong Ren, Qi Zeng, Xin Ni, Yongli Guo
Summary: The study found that the DDX1 gene polymorphism rs72780850 is associated with an increased risk of NB, especially in aggressive cases. This association may be due to the regulation of DDX1 gene expression affecting tumor risk. Additionally, the molecular mechanism of the rs72780850 polymorphism leading to increased NB risk may be related to the binding affinity of the MAX transcription factor.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenhe Su, Yan-Dong Tang, Chunfu Zheng
Summary: DExD/H-box helicases play critical roles in regulating antiviral innate immunity, not only as regulatory factors but also as nucleic acid sensors. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of their regulatory roles is crucial for developing new therapeutic approaches for viral infections.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Miaomiao Zhao, Lixiong Ying, Rusha Wang, Jiping Yao, Liming Zhu, Min Zheng, Zhi Chen, Zhenggang Yang
Summary: This study reveals a novel function of DHX15 as a negative regulator of autophagy and suggests that DHX15 inhibits proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing autophagy. The mTORC1 pathway is involved in DHX15-mediated regulation of autophagy.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Siyuan Dai, Xiaoyin Tang, Lili Li, Takao Ishidate, Ahmet R. Ozturk, Hao Chen, Altair L. Dube, Yong -Hong Yan, Meng-Qiu Dong, En-Zhi Shen, Craig C. Mello
Summary: Germline Argonautes play a direct role in transcriptome surveillance within perinuclear membraneless organelles called nuage. GLH proteins compete to control Argonaute pathway specificity and promote small RNA amplification. The ATPase cycle of GLH-1 regulates direct binding to Argonaute WAGO-1, supporting a dynamic and direct role for GLH proteins in inherited silencing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damien Marchese, Florent Guislain, Tamara Pringels, Laure Bridoux
Summary: Homopolymeric amino acid repeats are common in human proteins, particularly in transcription factors and kinases. This study focuses on homopolymeric histidine repeats (polyH) and their role in regulating embryonic development. Through bioinformatic analysis, the study identifies that polyH-containing proteins interact with cysteine-rich proteins and proteins containing cysteine repeats. The study further investigates the HOXA1 protein, a transcription factor with a long polyH motif, and finds that the polyH motif is necessary for its interaction with cysteine-rich proteins. Additionally, the study discovers that metal ions are required for the HOXA1-MDFI interaction and identifies three polyH interactors that down-regulate the transcriptional activity of HOXA1.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS
(2024)