DExH-box helicase 29 (DHX29)

DExH-box helicase 29 (DHX29) is an RNA helicase enzyme belonging to the DEAH subfamily of the DEAD/DEAH-box helicase family[1][3]. It functions primarily in translation initiation, where it binds the 40S small ribosomal subunit and is essential for ribosomal scanning across stable secondary structures in the 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, enabling accurate selection of the start codon[1][7]. DHX29 hydrolyzes nucleoside triphosphates (ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP) with enhanced activity in the context of translation initiation complexes[4]. It is not a processive helicase but remodels the mRNA–ribosome complex, working alongside initiation factors such as eIF3[1][4][3]. DHX29 also acts as a co-sensor with immune receptors (notably MDA5) and can recognize double-stranded RNA to promote type I interferon signaling, contributing to innate antiviral responses[2]. Silencing or knockdown of DHX29 leads to reduced overall translation and impairs the proliferation of cancer cells, underscoring its role in tumorigenesis[5][7][3]. Current evidence suggests DHX29 as a potential therapeutic target, particularly in oncology and antiviral research, though no direct drugs are known to target it as of now.

Other names

ATP-dependent RNA helicase DHX29DDX29DEAH box protein 29Nucleic acid helicase DDXxDEAD/H (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp/His) box polypeptide 29DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) box polypeptide 29