DEAD box proteins, characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp, are putative RNA helicases implicated in several cellular processes involving modifications of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Based on their distribution patterns, some members of this family may be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division. DEAD box protein 52 (DDX52) is a 599 amino acid protein belonging to the DEAD box helicase family. Localized to the nucleus, DDX52 is phosphorylated by ATM or ATR upon DNA damage. DDX52 contains one helicase ATP-binding domain and one helicase C-terminal domain.