ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX50 (DDX50)

ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX50 is a member of the DEAD-box protein family, characterized by the conserved Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD) motif. It is an enzyme involved in various aspects of RNA metabolism, including pre-mRNA splicing, ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing, ribosome biogenesis, and possibly spliceosome assembly[1][2][3][4]. DDX50 also acts as a viral restriction factor, promoting innate immune responses via the activation of NF-κB and IRF3 pathways after exposure to viral RNA or infection with RNA/DNA viruses. It is implicated in inhibition of replication of several viruses, such as vaccinia, herpes simplex, Zika, and dengue viruses at early infection stages[1][4]. The gene is expressed in various tissues and has functional similarity with DDX21, suggesting gene duplication events in evolution. DDX50’s roles in fundamental RNA processing make it a potential therapeutic target, particularly for modulating antiviral responses or RNA biogenesis-linked pathologies[1][4][6].

Other names

DExD-box helicase 50DEAD box protein 50GU2MGC3199GUBRH-II/GuBmcdrhGu-betaNucleolar protein Gu2RNA helicase II/Gu betamalignant cell derived RNA helicasenucleolar protein GU2

Drugs modulating DDX50 would likely affect RNA metabolism or viral replication by altering the helicase’s activity (inference based on family and function)