Probable ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX5 (DDX5)

Probable ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX5 (commonly known as DEAD-box protein 5 or RNA helicase p68) is an enzyme encoded by the DDX5 gene in humans. It is a member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family, which is characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD). DDX5 participates in diverse aspects of RNA metabolism, including splicing, translation initiation, ribosome biogenesis, and regulation of non-coding RNAs, and is implicated in cell growth, division, and signal transduction pathways. Overexpression of DDX5 has been linked to various cancers, where it promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis, and its inhibition suppresses tumor progression. DDX5 functions through ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA secondary structures and acts as a chaperone for RNA-protein complexes. DDX5 interacts with proteins such as AKAP8, DDX17, DHX9, estrogen receptor alpha, fibrillarin, HDAC1, p53, and CTCF, reflecting its wide-ranging roles in transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. No approved drugs selectively target DDX5 in clinical use; however, DDX5 is an emerging oncology therapeutic target, particularly for aggressive tumors showing high DDX5 expression. Systemic inhibition could impact essential cell processes due to its role in global RNA metabolism.

Other names

DEAD-box protein 5RNA helicase p68p68DEAD-box helicase 5

Inhibitors studied act by blocking ATPase/helicase activity, or by disrupting interactions with protein partners (preclinical/experimental)