Ddx55 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. title: DDX55 Protein (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) description: DDX55 is a DEAD-box RNA helicase with critical roles in ribosome biogenesis, RNA processing, and emerging links to ALS, AD, and PD. tags: protein, neurodegeneration, neurology, RNA helicase, DDX family, ALS, AD <div class="infobox infobox-protein">
| | | |---|---| | Protein Name | DDX55 (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) | | Gene | [DDX55](/genes/ddx55) | | UniProt | [Q8NHQ6](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q8NHQ6/entry) | | PDB ID | N/A | | Molecular Weight | 66.2 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Nucleus (nucleolus), cytoplasm | | Protein Family | DEAD-box helicase family (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) | | Expression | Ubiquitous, high in brain, heart, and muscle |
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Overview
DDX55 (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) is a member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family, a group of enzymes that utilize ATP to unwind RNA structures and participate in various RNA metabolic processes[@cordin2006]. DDX55 is a nucleolar protein involved in ribosome biogenesis, pre-rRNA processing, and RNA splicing, with emerging links to neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD)[@valentijn2023].
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DDX55 Protein
Introduction
Ddx55 Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. title: DDX55 Protein (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) description: DDX55 is a DEAD-box RNA helicase with critical roles in ribosome biogenesis, RNA processing, and emerging links to ALS, AD, and PD. tags: protein, neurodegeneration, neurology, RNA helicase, DDX family, ALS, AD <div class="infobox infobox-protein">
| | | |---|---| | Protein Name | DDX55 (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) | | Gene | [DDX55](/genes/ddx55) | | UniProt | [Q8NHQ6](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q8NHQ6/entry) | | PDB ID | N/A | | Molecular Weight | 66.2 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Nucleus (nucleolus), cytoplasm | | Protein Family | DEAD-box helicase family (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) | | Expression | Ubiquitous, high in brain, heart, and muscle |
</div>
Overview
DDX55 (DEAD-Box Helicase 55) is a member of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family, a group of enzymes that utilize ATP to unwind RNA structures and participate in various RNA metabolic processes[@cordin2006]. DDX55 is a nucleolar protein involved in ribosome biogenesis, pre-rRNA processing, and RNA splicing, with emerging links to neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD)[@valentijn2023].
DEAD-box helicases are characterized by the conserved motif "Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp" in their helicase core and are essential for virtually all aspects of RNA metabolism. DDX55 specifically localizes to the nucleolus, where it participates in ribosome assembly and maturation[@boulon2010].
Structure
DDX55 is a 582-amino acid protein with a molecular weight of approximately 66.2 kDa. The protein contains the characteristic DEAD-box helicase domains:
N-terminal domain: Contains the Q-motif for ATP binding and recognition
Helicase core: Conserved regions I-VI including the DEAD motif
C-terminal domain: Regulatory sequences and protein-protein interaction motifs
The helicase core consists of two RecA-like domains connected by a flexible linker. This architecture allows for ATP-dependent conformational changes that drive RNA unwinding[@fairmanwilliams2010].
Normal Function
Ribosome Biogenesis
DDX55 plays essential roles in ribosome production:
Pre-rRNA processing: Facilitates cleavage and processing of pre-rRNA transcripts
Ribosome assembly: Assists in assembly of ribosomal subunits
Nucleolar function: Localizes to nucleoli where ribosome production occurs
60S subunit maturation: Specifically involved in large ribosomal subunit formation
The study of Ddx55 Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
This page was expanded as part of the NeuroWiki protein expansion effort.
References
[Cordin O, et al, The DEAD-box protein family of RNA helicases (2006)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16406634/)
[Valentijn LJ, et al, DEAD-box helicases in neurodegenerative disease (2023)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36627442/)
[Boulon S, et al, The nucleolus: a raft for navigation between RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis (2010)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20519738/)
[Fairman-Williams ME, et al, SF1 and SF2 helicases: family matters (2010)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20456941/)
[Kim SH, et al, Rare variants in DDX55 in ALS (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32601414/)