OAS2

Description

The OAS2 (2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.

OAS2 is a human gene that encodes 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 2, an enzyme involved in the innate immune response to viral infection. This enzyme is induced by interferons and synthesizes 2',5'-oligoadenylates (2-5As) from adenosine triphosphate. These 2-5As activate latent RNase L, which degrades viral RNA and inhibits viral replication. OAS2 belongs to the 2-5A synthetase family, and there are three known members located in a cluster on chromosome 12. Different isoforms of OAS2 are produced by alternative splicing.

OAS2 is an interferon-induced, dsRNA-activated antiviral enzyme. It plays a critical role in cellular innate antiviral response by detecting double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and polymerizing higher oligomers of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates (2-5A) from ATP. These 2-5A molecules bind to the inactive monomeric form of ribonuclease L (RNASEL), leading to its dimerization and subsequent activation. Activated RNASEL degrades both cellular and viral RNA, inhibiting protein synthesis and terminating viral replication. OAS2 can mediate the antiviral effect through the classical RNASEL-dependent pathway or an alternative antiviral pathway independent of RNASEL. In addition, OAS2 may play a role in other cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell growth, differentiation, and gene regulation. It may also act as a negative regulator of lactation, stopping lactation in virally infected mammary gland lobules to prevent viral transmission to neonates. Non-infected lobules would not be affected, allowing efficient pup feeding during infection.

OAS2 is also known as -.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing

Clinical Exome Sequencing