Abstract
DDX3 is a cellular ATP-dependent RNA helicase involved in different aspects of RNA metabolism ranging from transcription to translation and therefore, DDX3 participates in the regulation of key cellular processes including cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cancer and the antiviral immune response leading to type-I interferon production. DDX3 has also been described as an essential cellular factor for the replication of different viruses, including important human threats such HIV-1 or HCV, and different small molecules targeting DDX3 activity have been developed. Indeed, increasing evidence suggests that DDX3 can be considered not only a promising but also a viable target for anticancer and antiviral treatments. In this review, we summarize distinct functional aspects of DDX3 focusing on its participation as a double-edged sword in the host immune response and in the replication cycle of different viruses.
Highlights
DEAD-box polypeptide 3, X-linked or DDX3X belongs to the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases present in various eukaryotic organisms from yeast to humans [1,2]
DDX3 N- and C-terminal domains participate in some protein-protein interactions with proteins involved in mRNA metabolism or innate immune signaling
DDX3 appears as a double-edged sword by acting as an important cellular protein involved in mRNA metabolism and immune signaling and as a host factor that favors replication of several viruses
Summary
DEAD-box polypeptide 3, X-linked or DDX3X (hereafter referred as DDX3) belongs to the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases present in various eukaryotic organisms from yeast to humans [1,2]. The RecA-like domains contain 12 conserved motifs involved in ATP binding, RNA binding and linking ATP hydrolysis with RNA unwinding where the enzymatic reactions occur (Figure 1b) [11,12,13,14]. DDX3 N- and C-terminal domains participate in some protein-protein interactions with proteins involved in mRNA metabolism or innate immune signaling
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