DDX3X structural analysis: Implications in the pharmacology and innate immunity

Luigi De Colibus; Melissa Stunnenberg; Teunis B H Geijtenbeek

doi:10.1016/j.crimmu.2022.05.002

DDX3X structural analysis: Implications in the pharmacology and innate immunity

Curr Res Immunol. 2022 May 24:3:100-109. doi: 10.1016/j.crimmu.2022.05.002. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Luigi De Colibus¹, Melissa Stunnenberg¹, Teunis B H Geijtenbeek¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Abstract

The human DEAD-Box Helicase 3 X-Linked (DDX3X) is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase involved in virtually every step of RNA metabolism, ranging from transcription regulation in the nucleus to translation initiation and stress granule (SG) formation, and plays crucial roles in innate immunity, as well as tumorigenesis and viral infections. This review discusses latest advances in DDX3X biology and structure-function relationship, including the implications of the recent DDX3X crystal structure in complex with double stranded RNA for RNA metabolism, DDX3X involvement in the cross-talk between innate immune responses and cell stress adaptation, and the roles of DDX3X in controlling cell fate.

Keywords: DDX3X; Helicase; Inflammasome; MAVS; RIGI; RNA.

Publication types

Review