The Genome Stability Maintenance DNA Helicase DDX11 and Its Role in Cancer

DDX11/ChlR1 is a super-family two iron–sulfur cluster containing DNA helicase with roles in DNA replication and sister chromatid cohesion establishment, and general chromosome architecture. Bi-allelic mutations of the DDX11 gene cause a rare hereditary disease, named Warsaw breakage syndrome, characterized by a complex spectrum of clinical manifestations (pre- and post-natal growth defects, microcephaly, intellectual disability, heart anomalies and sister chromatid cohesion loss at cellular level) in accordance with the multifaceted, not yet fully understood, physiological functions of this DNA helicase. In the last few years, a possible role of DDX11 in the onset and progression of many cancers is emerging. Herein we summarize the results of recent studies, carried out either in tumoral cell lines or in xenograft cancer mouse models, suggesting that DDX11 may have an oncogenic role. The potential of DDX11 DNA helicase as a pharmacological target for novel anti-cancer therapeutic interventions, as inferred from these latest developments, is also discussed.