DEAH Box Polypeptide 8 (DHX8)

DEAD box proteins, characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. Based on their distribution patterns, some members of this family are believed to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division.

DHX8encodes a DEAD box protein, which is highly homologous to yeast Prp22. DHX8 facilitates nuclear export of spliced mRNA by releasing the RNA from the spliceosome.The official designation for this gene is DDX8. Expression of DDX8 in a yeast PRP22 mutant partially rescued its temperature-sensitive phenotype. DDX8, but not PRP22, contained an arginine- and serine-rich domain (RS domain) that is characteristic of some splicing factors.