title: Impairments of the 2-5A synthetase/RNase L pathway in chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: This paper provides an overview of the evidence addressing the impairments of the 2'-5' oligoadenylate (2-5 A) synthetase/RNase L pathway in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients. The 2-5A synthetase/RNase L pathway in CFS patients appears to be both up-regulated (i.e. increased levels of bioactive 2-5A synthetase and increased activity of the RNase L enzyme) and deregulated (elastase and calpain initiate 83 kDa RNase L proteolysis, generating two major fragments with molecular masses of 37 and 30 kDa, respectively). The deregulation of the 2-5A synthetase/RNase L pathway in CFS accompanies decreased NK-function and deregulation of apoptotic pathways. Since various components of the pathway appear to be related to performance during a graded exercise stress test, some evidence supportive of the clinical importance of the impaired pathway in CFS patients has been provided. Studies addressing the treatment of the deregulation of the 2-5A synthetase/RNase L pathway in CFS are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Jo.Nijs@vub.ac.be
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nijs
authors.forename: Kenny
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Meirleir
mesh_terms: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005080:Exercise Test; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D007527:Isoenzymes; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; C023505:2',5'-oligoadenylate; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C031956:2-5A-dependent ribonuclease