DEAH-box helicase 40 (DHX40)

DEAH-box helicase 40 is a member of the DExH/D box family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases, essential for RNA metabolism, especially in processes such as RNA duplex unwinding, pre-mRNA splicing, regulation of non-coding RNAs, and ribosome biogenesis[2][3]. It is implicated as a candidate susceptibility gene for cancer, with functional loss associated with hematological and solid malignancies[2][3]. DHX40 functions by hydrolyzing ATP and facilitating RNA conformational changes required for cellular RNA processing. It possesses multiple functional domains: a DEAD/H box helicase domain, a conserved C-terminal domain, and an HA2 (helicase-associated) domain. Alterations in DHX40 affect splicing events and may result in aberrant RNA metabolism, contributing to disease pathology, especially in cancer[2][3].

Other names

DHX40DDX40DEAH box protein 40Probable ATP-dependent RNA helicase DHX40Protein PADARG147putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase DHX40DEAD/H (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp/His) box polypeptide 40 (RNA helicase)DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) box polypeptide 40FLJ22060

Not directly targeted by drugs, but inhibition or modulation of DHX40 may disrupt RNA metabolism, splicing, and translation, which are attractive areas for anti-cancer therapy development