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RNA helicase DDX3: at the crossroad of viral replication and antiviral immunity
Author(s) -
ValienteEcheverría Fernando,
Hermoso Marcela A.,
SotoRifo Ricardo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
reviews in medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.06
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1654
pISSN - 1052-9276
DOI - 10.1002/rmv.1845
Subject(s) - innate immune system , biology , rna helicase a , helicase , rna , viral replication , transcription (linguistics) , virology , immune system , virus , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , linguistics , philosophy
Summary Asp‐Glu‐Ala‐Asp (DEAD)‐box polypeptide 3, or DDX3, belongs to the DEAD‐box family of ATP‐dependent RNA helicases and is known to play different roles in RNA metabolism ranging from transcription to nuclear export, translation, and assembly of stress granules. In addition, there is growing evidence that DDX3 is a component of the innate immune response against viral infections. As such, DDX3 has been shown to play roles both upstream and downstream of I‐kappa beta kinase ε (IKK ε )/TANK‐binding kinase 1, leading to IFN‐ β production. Interestingly, several RNA viruses, including human threats such as HIV‐1 and hepatitis C virus, hijack DDX3 to accomplish various steps of their replication cycles. Thus, it seems that viruses have evolved to exploit DDX3's functions while threatening the innate immune response. Understanding this interesting dichotomy in DDX3 function will help us not only to improve our knowledge of virus–host interactions but also to develop novel antiviral drugs targeting the multifaceted roles of DDX3 in viral replication. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.