DDX60

PF3D7_0903400 (DDX60) is a putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase of P. falciparum whose only experimental characterization places it within an Md1-associated cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complex in gametocytes, where proximity labelling of the male development 1 (Md1) protein recovered DDX60 alongside translational repressors, CCR4–NOT complex members, and other DEAD-box RNA helicases in RNP granule-like structures (PMID:36477538). Beyond this membership in an Md1-proximal RNP environment (PMID:36477538), no direct enzymatic activity, substrate, structure, or independent loss-of-function phenotype has been characterized for DDX60 in the available corpus.

1. 2022 Low

   To place DDX60 in a cellular context, proximity labelling asked which proteins neighbour the male-fate determinant Md1, and recovered DDX60 as a hit, establishing that it resides within an Md1-associated cytoplasmic RNP complex rather than acting in isolation.

   Evidence TurboID proximity labelling followed by mass spectrometry in a P. falciparum Md1-TurboID gametocyte strain versus untagged wild-type control

   PMID:36477538

   Open questions at the time

   • Single proximity-labelling experiment with no direct functional follow-up for DDX60 itself; membership is inferred from spatial proximity, not a validated interaction
   • No ATP-dependent helicase or RNA-binding activity demonstrated for DDX60
   • No independent loss-of-function phenotype for DDX60 established

• Whether DDX60 has intrinsic RNA helicase activity, a defined RNA substrate, and a distinct role in gametocyte RNP granule function or male development remains unknown.
• No biochemical reconstitution of ATP-dependent helicase activity
• No substrate or interaction partner directly validated
• No knockdown/knockout phenotype for DDX60 reported