Abstract
Treatment of cells with interferon (IFN) results in the induction of two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated enzymes: a specific protein kinase and 2'-5' linked oligoadenylate [pppA(2'p5'A)n referred to as 2-5A] synthetases. The protein kinase, when activated by dsRNA, becomes autophosphorylated and catalyzes and phosphorylation of the protein synthesis initiation factor, eIF2. The 2-5A synthetases, when activated by dsRNA, form 2-5A molecules capable of activating a latent endoribonuclease that degrades RNA. By inhibiting initiation of protein synthesis or by degrading of RNA, these enzymes play key roles in two independent pathways that regulate overall protein synthesis.
MeSH terms
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2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / biosynthesis*
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2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / physiology
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Animals
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Awards and Prizes
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Cloning, Molecular
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Endoribonucleases / metabolism
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Enzyme Activation / drug effects
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Enzyme Induction / drug effects
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Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 / metabolism
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Humans
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Interferons / pharmacology*
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Phosphorylation
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Protein Kinases / biosynthesis*
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Protein Kinases / genetics
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Protein Kinases / physiology
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RNA / metabolism
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RNA, Double-Stranded / drug effects
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RNA, Double-Stranded / pharmacology*
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Societies, Scientific
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eIF-2 Kinase
Substances
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Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2
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RNA, Double-Stranded
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RNA
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Interferons
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Protein Kinases
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eIF-2 Kinase
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2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase
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Endoribonucleases