Protein
ATP-dependent RNA helicase vasa
Organism
Drosophila melanogaster
Function
Involved in translational control mechanisms operating in early stages of oogenesis. Required maternally in many stages of oogenesis, including cystocyte differentiation, oocyte differentiation, and specification of anterior-posterior polarity in the developing cysts. Essential for the formation and/or structural integrity of perinuclear nuage particles during germ cell formation. Required for gus, Fsn and aub accumulation at the posterior pole of the embryo. Required for the localization of vas to the perinuclear region of nurse cells.
Similarity
Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX4/VASA subfamily.
Sequence
MSDDWDDEPIVDTRGARGGDWSDDEDTAKSFSGEAEGDGVGGSGGEGGGYQGGNRDVFGRIGGGRGGGAGGYRGGNRDGGGFHGGRREGERDFRGGEGGFRGGQGGSRGGQGGSRGGQGGFRGGEGGFRGRLYENEDGDERRGRLDREERGGERRGRLDREERGGERGERGDGGFARRRRNEDDINNNNNIVEDVERKREFYIPPEPSNDAIEIFSSGIASGIHFSKYNNIPVKVTGSDVPQPIQHFTSADLRDIIIDNVNKSGYKIPTPIQKCSIPVISSGRDLMACAQTGSGKTAAFLLPILSKLLEDPHELELGRPQVVIVSPTRELAIQIFNEARKFAFESYLKIGIVYGGTSFRHQNECITRGCHVVIATPGRLLDFVDRTFITFEDTRFVVLDEADRMLDMGFSEDMRRIMTHVTMRPEHQTLMFSATFPEEIQRMAGEFLKNYVFVAIGIVGGACSDVKQTIYEVNKYAKRSKLIEILSEQADGTIVFVETKRGADFLASFLSEKEFPTTSIHGDRLQSQREQALRDFKNGSMKVLIATSVASRGLDIKNIKHVINYDMPSKIDDYVHRIGRTGRVGNNGRATSFFDPEKDRAIAADLVKILEGSGQTVPDFLRTCGAGGDGGYSNQNFGGVDVRGRGNYVGDATNVEEEEQWD