DDX4
Function
ATP-dependent RNA helicase required during spermatogenesis (PubMed:10920202, PubMed:21034600). Required to repress transposable elements and preventing their mobilization, which is essential for the germline integrity (By similarity). Acts via the piRNA metabolic process, which mediates the repression of transposable elements during meiosis by forming complexes composed of piRNAs and Piwi proteins and governs the methylation and subsequent repression of transposons (By similarity). Involved in the secondary piRNAs metabolic process, the production of piRNAs in fetal male germ cells through a ping-pong amplification cycle (By similarity). Required for PIWIL2 slicing-triggered piRNA biogenesis: helicase activity enables utilization of one of the slice cleavage fragments generated by PIWIL2 and processing these pre-piRNAs into piRNAs (By similarity).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX4/VASA subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed only in ovary and testis. Expressed in migratory primordial germ cells in the region of the gonadal ridge in both sexes.
Cellular localization
- Cytoplasm
- Cytoplasm
- Perinuclear region
- Component of the meiotic nuage, also named P granule, a germ-cell-specific organelle required to repress transposon activity during meiosis.
Alternative names
VASA, DDX4, Probable ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX4, DEAD box protein 4, Vasa homolog