This gene is a member of the DEAH box polypeptide family. The encoded protein contains the DEAH (Asp-Glu-Ala-His) motif which is characteristic of all DEAH box proteins, and is thought to function as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that regulates the release of spliced mRNAs from spliceosomes prior to their export from the nucleus. This protein may be required for the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.DHX8 (DEAH-Box Helicase 8) is a Protein Coding gene. Among its related pathways are mRNA Splicing - Major Pathway. GO annotations related to this gene include nucleic acid binding and identical protein binding. An important paralog of this gene is DHX16.