WD40 (encoded by WDR61), as pictured in Figure 1. Much of the information on SKI2W function is from yeast studies, where the homologue for SKI2W is ski2. In yeast, ski2 forms a ski complex with ski3 and 2 subunits of ski8. The ski2 (the SKI2W homolog in yeast) contains DEVH-box proteins which suggests it is the only protein in the ski complex to have an enzymatic helicase function. The exact interactions are not well described, however DEVH-box helicases are shown to separate nucleic strands in an energy dependent manner. The yeast ski complex has been more extensively studied than the human homologue, and a crystal structure of the RNA exosome and its interactions has been created that supports a role in non-stop decay, to thereby protect the cell from aberrant proteins. Ski2 protein in yeast is also thought to have a role in antiviral defence, probably via its role in RNA turnover or through control of RNA degradation. SKIV2L has been shown to be a negative regulator of the Rig-I like receptors (RLRs) that detect RNA. The authors found that the cytosolic RNA exosome, defined by the SKIV2L RNA helicase, is important for limiting the activation of RLRs and the antiviral response. If the endogenous RNAs fail to be processed, the cell undergoes an unfolded protein response which triggers an antiviral interferon (IFN) response. Human cells with SKIV2L deficiency are shown to have a strong IFN signature suggestive of a chronic antiviral response. The authors suggest that patients could subsequently be more prone to autoimmune disorders, although this has not been shown as yet, possibly due to the high mortality of patients. However this finding does suggest a link between SKIV2L and immune response. Clinical significance Pathogenic variants in SKIV2L has been linked to Tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome (THES), also known as syndromic diarrhoea (SD) or phenotypic diarrhoea (PD). First described by Stankler et al (1982) as Stankler syndrome, this condition was renamed THES in 1994. THES is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1:1,000,000. It is characterised by intractable diarrhoea, beginning in first few weeks of life; characteristic hair abnormalities, ”woolly" and brittle hair, intrauterine growth restriction and characteristic facial dysmorphisms. Other associations are hepatic dysfunction, skin abnormalities, intellectual disability and immunodeficiency. Less common findings include platelet abnormalities and congenital heart defects. There are two causative genes, SKIV2L (in 1/3 of patients) and TTC37 (2/3 of patients), both encode for proteins