Study reveals ATP-independent entropy-driven dsRNA unwinding by DDX3X

Summary

Researchers developed a coarse-grained RNA model and deep learning analysis to show that DDX3X can unwind double-stranded RNA without ATP, driven by thermal fluctuations and entropy gain. The process involves rare strand-displacing intermediates, with hydrogen bonding as the dominant entropic factor. This provides a new physical mechanism for RNA remodeling.

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Why it matters by industry

• Healthcare & Life Sciences

  This finding advances understanding of RNA helicase mechanisms, relevant to biotechnology and RNA-based therapeutics development.