Information AboutRnase L |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT RNASE L | |
| ribonucleases | |
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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 stimulate 2'-5' oligo(A) synthetase to produce stands 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. 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's highly resistant to viral attack 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 Pkr) is the cell's last stand against a virus before it attempts apoptosis. |
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