NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a member of the DEAD box protein family. DEAD box proteins, characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. They are implicated in a number of cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure, such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Based on their distribution patterns, some members of this family are believed to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division. The protein encoded by this gene is a component of the U5 snRNP complex; it may facilitate conformational changes in the spliceosome during nuclear pre-mRNA splicing. An alternatively spliced transcript variant has been found for this gene, but its biological validity has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq]
General function
RNA binding
Comment
Cellular localization
Cytoplasmic
Comment
Ovarian function
Oogenesis, Early embryo development
Comment
The Caenorhabditis elegans DDX-23, a homolog of yeast splicing factor PRP28, is required for the sperm-oocyte switch and differentiation of various cell types. Konishi T et al. DEAD/H-box proteins are involved in various aspects of RNA metabolism. Here we report the developmental function of a DEAD-box protein, DDX-23, in Caenorhabditis elegans, which has significant homology with the yeast splicing factor PRP28. We found by RNAi and mutant analyses that DDX-23 is essential for both embryonic and post-embryonic development, and required for differentiation of the majority of somatic tissues. When the germline function of ddx-23 was inhibited, hermaphrodite animals showed a reduced number of germ cells and failed to switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis. These phenotypes were similar to those of the mutants of the three DEAH-box proteins (MOG-1, MOG-4, and MOG-5) whose yeast orthologs are involved in the pre-mRNA splicing pathway. We speculate that DDX-23 functions with the three MOG proteins in the same pathway to regulate tissue differentiation, robust germline proliferation, and the sperm/oocyte switch through modulations of ribonucleoprotein complexes. Developmental Dynamics 237:2367-2377, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.