Unlocking the DEAD-box: a key to cryptococcal virulence?
Lena J. Heung, Maurizio Del Poeta
Lena J. Heung, Maurizio Del Poeta
Published March 1, 2005
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2005;115(3):593-595. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI24508.
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Category: Commentary

Unlocking the DEAD-box: a key to cryptococcal virulence?

Abstract

The DEAD-box RNA helicases are enzymes involved in many critical aspects of RNA metabolism within both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Several studies have shown that these proteins may have important functions in mediating microbial pathogenesis. A new study in this issue of the JCI identifies the first DEAD-box RNA helicase in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans and proposes novel roles for this family of proteins in the development and progression of cryptococcosis.

Authors

Lena J. Heung, Maurizio Del Poeta

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Figure 1

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The 9 conserved motifs of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family and their put...
The 9 conserved motifs of the DEAD-box RNA helicase family and their putative functions (6). Motifs I and II, also known as the Walker A and B motifs, bind nucleotide triphosphates; the DEAD-box helicases are named after the amino acid sequence of motif II. Motifs Q and VI are also involved in binding ATP for hydrolysis. Motifs Ia, Ib, IV, and V are proposed to bind RNA. Motif III may induce conformational changes required for helicase activity upon ATP binding.