RNase L

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ribonuclease L (2',5'-oligoisoadenylate synthetase-dependent)
Identifiers
Symbol	RNASEL
Alt. Symbols	RNS4
Entrez	6041
HUGO	10050
OMIM	180435
RefSeq	NM_021133
UniProt	Q05823
Other data
Locus	Chr. 1 q25

RNase L is an interferon-induced ribonuclease which, upon activation, destroys all RNA within the cell (both cellular and viral).

Contents 1 Production and Activation 2 Purpose 3 External links 4 Literature

[edit] Production and Activation

RNase L is present in very minute quantities during the normal cell cycle. When interferon binds to cell receptors, it activates transcription of around 300 genes to bring about the antiviral state. Among these genes is RNase L, which is initially produced in inactive form.

Activation occurs by the following:

• (1) dsRNA in the cytoplasm stimulates 2'-5' oligo(A) synthetase to produce strands of 2'-5' adenylic acid (versus the normal 3'-5');
• (2) these strands induce activation of RNase L which then proceeds to degrade all RNA within the cell.

[edit] Purpose

RNase L is part of the body's innate immune defense, namely the antiviral state of the cell. When a cell is in the antiviral state, it is highly resistant to viral attacks and is also ready to undergo apoptosis upon successful viral infection. Degradation of all RNA within the cell (which usually occurs with cessation of translation activity caused by protein kinase R is the cell's last stand against a virus before it attempts apoptosis.

[edit] External links

• MeSH ribonuclease+L,+human

[edit] Literature

Urisman A, Molinaro RJ, Fisher N, et al (2006) Identification of a novel gammaretrovirus in prostate tumours of patients homozygous R462Q for RNaseL variant. PLos pathog. 2(3):e25