| Modification Notes |
The 2'-, 5'- oligoadenylate synthetases (OASs) are interferon-induced proteins that play a putative role in mediating resistance to virus infection, control of cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. OAS1, which functions as a homotetramer, is characterized by its capacity to catalyze the synthesis of 2'-, 5'- oligomers of adenosine (2-5As). OAS1 binds double-stranded RNA and polymerizes ATP into PPP(A2'P5'A)N oligomers, activating latent RNase L which, when activated, cleaves single-stranded RNAs. This RNase L activity leads to the inhibition of cellular protein synthesis and the impairment of viral replication. OAS1, a 400 amino acid containing protein, is also important in evaluating the interferon response in RNAi studies, and is implicated in diabetes mellitus susceptibility. Oas1a and Oas1g are two of the known rodent homologs of human OAS1, which are thought to mediate cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, as well as host resistance to viral infection. |
