Enables RNA helicase activity and mRNA 3'-UTR binding activity. Involved in several processes, including mitotic chromosome condensation; oogenesis; and regulation of gene expression. Located in several cellular components, including P granule; posterior cell cortex; and spectrosome. Is expressed in several structures, including egg chamber; germarium; germline cell; gonad; and gonadal sheath proper primordium. Orthologous to human DDX4 (DEAD-box helicase 4).
FB Description
vasa (vas) encodes Vasa (Vas) is a DEAD-box RNA helicase protein. It interacts with eIF5B and promotes translation of grk and mei-P26 mRNAs. Vas also functions in piRNA biogenesis as a component of an Amplifier complex. Maternally-expressed vas is required for oogenesis, transposon silencing in the female germ line, anterior-posterior embryonic patterning, and germ cell specification.