Breakthrough in neurodegenerative diseases uncovers scavenger role of DNA protein

A groundbreaking study conducted by the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Italy’s National Research Council (CNR), in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II, has uncovered a discovery of major significance for biomedicine: the DDX11 protein.

This protein is known to form part of the DNA replication process, but new information is coming to light about the role it plays in cellular cleanup and recycling. This finding, recently published in the prestigious scientific journal Autophagy, could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches to treat rare genetic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Until now, DDX11 was primarily recognized for its role in the cell nucleus, where it functions as a helicase—an enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix, allowing other proteins to access genetic information for essential processes like replication and repair. However, the new study reveals that DDX11 also operates outside the nucleus, in the cytoplasm, where it takes on a completely different but equally vital role.

A look at these new findings

In this new location, DDX11 acts as a kind of “cellular garbage collector,” actively participating in the regulation of autophagy—a process by which cells break down and recycle damaged or aging components, such as malfunctioning organelles and misfolded proteins. This function is essential for maintaining cellular balance and preventing the buildup of toxic waste that can trigger disease.

Autophagy has been extensively studied in recent years for its protective role in the nervous system. Disruptions in this process have been linked to a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2. The discovery that DDX11 also regulates autophagy places this protein at the forefront of future biomedical research.

“This discovery reshapes our understanding of DDX11’s role in cell biology,” the study’s authors explain. “It’s not only a key player in genetic machinery but also a fundamental component in maintaining cellular cleanliness—an insight that could have direct implications for developing new treatments for currently incurable diseases.” The study marks a significant step forward in understanding the cellular mechanisms that underpin human health and highlights the importance of basic research as a driver of medical innovation.

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