New insights into the role of RNase L in innate immunity.

ABSTRACT: The interferon (IFN)-inducible 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)/RNase L pathway blocks infections by some types of viruses through cleavage of viral and cellular single-stranded RNA. Viruses induce type I IFNs that initiate signaling to the OAS genes. OAS proteins are pathogen recognition receptors for the viral pathogen-associated molecular pattern, double-stranded RNA. Double-stranded RNA activates OAS to produce p(x)5'A(2'p5'A)(n); x = 1-3; n > 2 (2-5A) from ATP. Upon binding 2-5A, RNase L is converted from an inactive monomer to a potently active dimeric endoribonuclease for single-stranded RNA. RNase L contains, from N- to C-terminus, a series of 9 ankyrin repeats, a linker, several protein kinase-like motifs, and a ribonuclease domain homologous to Ire1 (involved in the unfolded

SUBMITTER: Chakrabarti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3021357 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature