The mechanism of RNA duplex recognition and unwinding by DEAD-box helicase DDX3X

Abstract

DEAD-box helicases (DDXs) function in an ATP-dependent, non-processive manner and the conserved helicase core is composed of two RecA-like domains D1 and D2. Here the authors present the crystal structure of the D1D2 core from human DDX3X bound to a 23-base pair dsRNA in the pre-unwound state and discuss the implications for helicase mechanism.