[Interferon, oligoadenylate synthetase and oligoadenine nucleotide--a cell biological triad]

In sensitive cells interferon (IFN) induces many genes leading to an increased production of several different proteins. One of these gene products is the enzyme oligoadenylatesynthetase (OAS). The main effect of this IFN induced enzyme activation is the production of oligonucleotides (2-5A) from cellular ATP. The 2-5A activates an endogeneous ribonuclease (RNase), which cleaves rRNA and mRNA. The sum of these effects is degradation of cellular and viral RNA, resulting in reduced protein synthesis. Taken together, IFN, OAS and 2-5A exist as a part of immune defence system primarily directed against virus infections. Furthermore, it is possible that this system under normal, physiological conditions regulates the growth of somatic cells. The virus inhibiting effect of IFN has been useful in the treatment of viral infections and certain types of cancer. Probably, the IFN dependent enzyme systems will achieve a greater therapeutic significance in the future.