Probably involved in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Confers tolerance to oxidative stress and mediates pathogenesis-related (PR) genes expression. Exhibits RNA-dependent ATPase and ATP-dependent RNA helicase activities in vitro. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate In leaves after treatment with defense-related signal chemicals such as benzothiadiazole (BTH), salicylic acid (SA), l-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ethylene-precursor), and jasmonic acid (JA). Also up-regulated during incompatible interaction with the blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea. The Q motif is unique to and characteristic of the DEAD box family of RNA helicases and controls ATP binding and hydrolysis. Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. Extended N-terminus.