DDX4

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. This gene encodes a DEAD box protein, which is a homolog of VASA proteins in Drosophila and several other species. The gene is specifically expressed in the germ cell lineage in both sexes and functions in germ cell development. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]

DEAD-Box Helicase 4

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).

Cell differentiation Source: GO_Central
DNA methylation involved in gamete generation Source: UniProtKB
Flagellated sperm motility Source: UniProtKB
Gamete generation Source: GO_Central
Gene silencing by RNA Source: UniProtKB-KW
Male meiosis I Source: UniProtKB
Male meiotic nuclear division Source: UniProtKB
Multicellular organism development Source: UniProtKB-KW
Negative regulation of transposition Source: UniProtKB
PiRNA biosynthetic process Source: UniProtKB
PiRNA metabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Spermatogenesis Source: UniProtKB

Cytoplasm; Perinuclear region. Component of the meiotic nuage, also named P granule, a germ-cell-specific organelle required to repress transposon activity during meiosis.