Activation of 2' 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase by stem loops at the 5'-end of the West Nile virus genome.

ABSTRACT: West Nile virus (WNV) has a positive sense RNA genome with conserved structural elements in the 5' and 3' -untranslated regions required for polyprotein production. Antiviral immunity to WNV is partially mediated through the production of a cluster of proteins known as the interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). The 2' 5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) are key ISGs that help to amplify the innate immune response. Upon interaction with viral double stranded RNA, OAS enzymes become activated and enable the host cell to restrict viral propagation. Studies have linked mutations in the OAS1 gene to increased susceptibility to WNV infection, highlighting the importance of OAS1 enzyme. Here we report that the region at the 5'-end of the WNV genome comprising both the 5'-UTR and initial coding regio

SUBMITTER: Deo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3961380 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature