DEAD Box Polypeptide 46 (DDX46)

DDX46 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.

DDX46is a component of the 17S U2 snRNP complex; it plays an important role in pre-mRNA splicing. plays an essential role in splicing, either prior to, or during splicing A complex formation.