DDX41

Multifunctional protein that participates in many aspects of cellular RNA metabolism. Plays pivotal roles in innate immune sensing and hematopoietic homeostasis. Recognizes foreign or self-nucleic acids generated during microbial infection, thereby initiating anti-pathogen responses. Mechanistically, phosphorylation by BTK allows binding to dsDNA leading to interaction with STING1. Modulates the homeostasis of dsDNA through its ATP-dependent DNA-unwinding activity and ATP-independent strand-annealing activity. In turn, induces STING1-mediated type I interferon and cytokine responses to DNA and DNA viruses. Selectively modulates the transcription of certain immunity-associated genes by regulating their alternative splicing. Binds to RNA (R)-loops, structures consisting of DNA/RNA hybrids and a displaced strand of DNA that occur during transcription, and prevents their accumulation, thereby maintaining genome stability. Also participates in pre-mRNA splicing, translational regulation and snoRNA processing, which is essential for ribosome biogenesis..

Function from UniProtKB (Q9UJV9), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.