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Review
. 2025 May;41(5):437-449.
doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.12.006. Epub 2025 Jan 18.

DEAD/DEAH-box RNA helicases shape the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders

Affiliations
Review

DEAD/DEAH-box RNA helicases shape the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders

Chiara Fiorenzani et al. Trends Genet. 2025 May.

Abstract

The DEAD/DEAH-box family of RNA helicases (RHs) is among the most abundant and conserved in eukaryotes. These proteins catalyze the remodeling of RNAs to regulate their splicing, stability, localization, and translation. Rare genetic variants in DEAD/DEAH-box proteins have recently emerged as being associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Analyses in cellular and animal models have uncovered fundamental roles for these proteins during brain development. We discuss the genetic and functional evidence that implicates DEAD/DEAH-box proteins in brain development and NDDs, with a focus on how structural insights from paralogous genes can be leveraged to advance our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms at play.

Keywords: DEAD/DEAH box; RNA helicases; RNA metabolism; autism spectrum disorder; intellectual disability; neurodevelopment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.

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