title: Activation of the interferon-inducible (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase by the Epstein-Barr virus RNA, EBER-1.
abstract: The 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetases and the protein kinase PKR are both interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-dependent proteins that play important roles in the antiviral effects of the interferons and in cellular growth control. Both enzymes are activated by natural or synthetic dsRNAs and by single-stranded RNAs that possess extensive secondary structure. This report describes the effects of the small Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA EBER-1 on the regulation of 2-5(A) synthetase activity. We demonstrate that EBER-1 RNA binds to and activates the human 40-kDa 2-5(A) synthetase in a dose-dependent manner. The efficiency of EBER-1 as an activator of 2-5(A) synthetase is approximately 25% of that of the synthetic double-stranded RNA poly(I)/poly(C), and poly(I)/poly(C) further stimulates enzyme activity even in the presence of a high concentration of EBER-1. Conversely, EBER-1 neither stimulates nor inhibits 2-5(A) synthetase that has been activated by a high concentration of poly(I)/poly(C). Competitive binding assays suggest that the relative affinity of the enzyme for poly(I)/poly(C) is considerably higher than that for EBER-1. Our data indicate that EBER-1, like VAI RNA of adenovirus, TAR RNA of HIV-1, and Rex-RE RNA of HTLV-1, is able to activate the 2-5(A) synthetases. The significance of why several viruses may activate the 2-5(A) synthetase/RNase L-mediated RNA degradation pathway is discussed.
mesh_terms: D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018411:Spodoptera / Q000166:cytology