ATP-dependent RNA helicase that is an integral component of messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs), storage particles that mask maternal mRNAs from the translational apparatus during oocyte maturation. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Component of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, composed at least of cpeb1, lsm14b/rap55b, ddx6/Xp54, ybx2/frgy2, pat1/P100, eif4enif1/4E-T and eif4e1b. Component of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, composed at least of elavl1/elrA and/or elavl2/elrB, igf2bp3/vg1RBP, ddx6/Xp54, ybx2/frgy2, lsm14b/rap55b and, in a subset of RNP complexes, stau1/staufen. Component of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, composed at least of lsm14a/rap55a, ybx2/frgy2, ddx6/Xp54 and eif4enif1/4E-T. Interacts with lsm14a/rap55a. Mostly cytoplasmic. Upon cellular stress, relocalizes to stress granules. In adults, expression is restricted to the germline cells of the ovary. Expressed maternally. Expression peaks at stage I of oogenesis and remains fairly constant through to the end of oogenesis and, after fertilization, up to blastula. From blastula, through gastrula and neurula, expression declines significantly. May also be expressed zygotically since a low level of expression is detected up to the free-feeding tadpole stage (embryonic stage 42) (at protein level). Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX6/DHH1 subfamily.