Ski2 Background Information The processes of DNA replication, repair, recombination, transcription, RNA splicing, and translation all involve one or more helicase to unwind DNA or RNA, making them essential enzymes. The yeast RNA helicase Ski2 interacts with Ski3 and Ski8 to facilitate the normal degradation of mRNA and repression of translation of poly (A) minus RNA. Mutation in Ski2 or any of the interacting proteins in the complex results in viral sensitivity, a consequence which lead to the original discovery of this “superkiller” (SKI) gene family.
