The Story of RNA Unfolded: The Molecular Function of DEAD- and DExH-Box ATPases and Their Complex Relationship with Membraneless Organelles

Annu Rev Biochem. 2024 Apr 9. doi: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-052521-121259. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDEAD- 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.PMID:38594920 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-biochem-052521-121259

Source: Annual Review of Biochemistry - April 10, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kerstin D örner Maria Hondele Source Type: research