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Review
. 2007 Jun-Jul;89(6-7):789-98.
doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2007.02.006. Epub 2007 Feb 20.

Diverse functions of RNase L and implications in pathology

Catherine Bisbal  1 , Robert H Silverman
Affiliations
Review

Diverse functions of RNase L and implications in pathology

Catherine Bisbal et al. Biochimie. 2007 Jun-Jul.

Abstract

The endoribonuclease L (RNase L) is the effector of the 2-5A system, a major enzymatic pathway involved in the molecular mechanism of interferons (IFNs). RNase L is a very unusual nuclease with a complex mechanism of regulation. It is a latent enzyme, expressed in nearly every mammalian cell type. Its activation requires its binding to a small oligonucleotide, 2-5A. 2-5A is a series of unique 5'-triphosphorylated oligoadenylates with 2'-5' phosphodiester bonds. By regulating viral and cellular RNA expression, RNase L plays an important role in the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of IFN and contributes to innate immunity and cell metabolism. The 2-5A/RNase L pathway is implicated in mediating apoptosis in response to viral infections and to several types of external stimuli. Several recent studies have suggested that RNase L could have a role in cancer biology and evidence of a tumor suppressor function of RNase L has emerged from studies on the genetics of hereditary prostate cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A) The 2–5A/RNase L pathway B) Structure of the 2–5A4: 2′–5′ oligoadenylates tetramer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structure of the RNase L.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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