RNAHelikase

RNAHelikase, usually referred to as an RNA helicase, is a class of enzymes that catalyze the remodeling of RNA structures by unwinding RNA duplexes and displacing bound proteins, powered by ATP hydrolysis. These enzymes are essential for altering RNA secondary structures and ribonucleoprotein complexes to enable proper RNA processing, translation, and decay across cells.

Most RNAHelikases belong to the helicase superfamilies SF1 and SF2 and share conserved motifs in their two RecA-like domains. The best-known families include the DEAD-box (DDX), DEAH-box (DHX), and related DExD/H-box helicases. They can act as true helicases, moving along RNA with defined polarity, or function as remodelers that disrupt or rearrange RNA–protein interfaces without complete strand separation.

RNAHelikases participate in a wide range of biological processes. They facilitate pre-mRNA splicing by remodeling spliceosomal components, contribute to ribosome biogenesis by processing precursor rRNA, and assist translation initiation by unwinding structures in the 5′ untranslated regions of mRNAs. They also influence RNA decay, RNA editing, export, localization, and cellular stress responses. In bacteria and archaea, analogous RNA helicases support RNA metabolism and protein synthesis.

Regulation of RNAHelikases involves cofactors, post-translational modifications, and subcellular localization. Misregulation or mutation of RNAHelikases has been linked to human diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer, reflecting their central role in gene expression. In research, they are used to study RNA structure and dynamics and are explored as potential therapeutic targets.