2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase 2 (OAS2)

Interferon-induced, dsRNA-activated antiviral receptor that plays a vital role in cellular innate antiviral response (PubMed:10464285, PubMed:9880569). Activated by detection of double stranded RNA (dsRNA): polymerizes higher oligomers of 2'- 5'-oligoadenylates (2-5A) from ATP which then bind to the inactive monomeric form of ribonuclease L (RNASEL) leading to its dimerization and subsequent activation (PubMed:10464285, PubMed:9880569, PubMed:11682059).

Activation of RNASEL leads to degradation of cellular as well as viral RNA, leading to the inhibition of protein synthesis, thus terminating viral replication (PubMed:10464285, PubMed:9880569). Can mediate the antiviral effect via the classical RNASEL-dependent pathway or another antiviral pathway independent of RNASEL (PubMed:21142819).