RNA helicases use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to drive the unwinding of an RNA helix. They function in virtually all aspects of RNA metabolism, mostly as parts of large macromolecular assemblies such as the pre-mRNA splicing machinery. Many RNA helicases play critical roles during conformational changes of RNAs and ribonucleoprotein complexes, as well as during timing and proofreading events. Different enzymes display a wide array of biochemical activities, including RNA duplex unwinding, protein displacement from RNA and strand annealing. (Adapted from
PMID:17574830.)
