Essential for the formation of P-bodies, cytosolic membrane-less ribonucleoprotein granules involved in RNA metabolism through the coordinated storage of mRNAs encoding regulatory functions (PubMed:25995375, PubMed:27342281, PubMed:31422817). Plays a role in P-bodies to coordinate the storage of translationally inactive mRNAs in the cytoplasm and prevent their degradation (PubMed:27342281). In the process of mRNA degradation, plays a role in mRNA decapping (PubMed:16364915). Blocks autophagy in nutrient-rich conditions by repressing the expression of ATG-related genes through degradation of their transcripts (PubMed:26098573). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Interacts with LSM14A, LSM14B, EIF4ENIF1/4E-T, PATL1, EDC3 and EDC4 (PubMed:26027925, PubMed:31422817, PubMed:27342281, PubMed:28216671, PubMed:32354837, PubMed:26489469, PubMed:29510985, PubMed:31439631). Forms a complex with DCP1A, DCP2, EDC3 and EDC4/HEDLS (PubMed:16364915, PubMed:19285948). Interacts with LIMD1, WTIP and AJUBA (PubMed:20616046). Interacts with APOBEC3G in an RNA-dependent manner (PubMed:16699599). Interacts with RC3H1 (By similarity). Interacts with ATXN2L (PubMed:23209657). Interacts with MCRIP1 (PubMed:26184334). Interacts with MCRIP2 (PubMed:26184334). Interacts with NUFIP2 (PubMed:26184334). Interacts with TRIM71 (via NHL repeats) in an RNA-dependent manner (PubMed:23125361). Interacts with GIGYF1 and GIGYF2 (PubMed:31439631). Imported in the nucleus via interaction with EIF4ENIF1/4E-T via a piggy-back mechanism (PubMed:28216671). Upon cellular stress, relocalizes to stress granules (PubMed:26184334). Abundantly expressed in most tissues. Sumoylated (PubMed:26184334). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. A chromosomal aberration involving DDX6 may be a cause of hematopoietic tumors such as B-cell lymphomas. Translocation t(11;14)(q23;q32). Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX6/DHH1 subfamily.