Mechanism of interferon action. Properties of an interferon-mediated ribonucleolytic activity from mouse L929 cells

New advances in our understanding of the "unique" RNase L in host pathogen interaction and immune signaling

Ever since the discovery of the existence of an interferon (IFN)-regulated ribonuclease, significant advances have been made in understanding the mechanism and associated regulatory effects of its action. What had been studied initially as a "unique" endoribonuclease is currently known as ribonuclease L (RNase L where "L" stands for latent). Some of the key developments include discovery of the RNase L signaling pathway, its structural characterization, and its molecular cloning. RNase L has been implicated in antiviral and antibacterial defense, as well as in hereditary prostate cancer. RNase L is activated by 2'-5' linked oligoadenylates (2-5A), which are synthesized by the oligoadenylate synthetases (OASs), a family of IFN-regulated pathogen recognition receptors that sense double-stranded RNAs. Activated RNase L cleaves single stranded RNAs, including viral RNAs and cellular RNAs. The catalytic activity of RNase L has been found to lead into the activation of several cellular signaling pathways, including those involved in autophagy, apoptosis, IFN-β production, NLRP3 inflammasome activation leading to IL-1β secretion, inhibition of cell migration, and cell adhesion. In this review, we will highlight the newest advances in our understanding of the catalytic role of RNase L in the context of different cellular pathways and extend the scope of these findings to discussion of potential therapeutic targets for antimicrobial drug development.

The Roles of RNase-L in Antimicrobial Immunity and the Cytoskeleton-Associated Innate Response

The interferon (IFN)-regulated endoribonuclease RNase-L is involved in multiple aspects of the antimicrobial innate immune response. It is the terminal component of an RNA cleavage pathway in which dsRNA induces the production of RNase-L-activating 2-5A by the 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase. The active nuclease then cleaves ssRNAs, both cellular and viral, leading to downregulation of their expression and the generation of small RNAs capable of activating retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors or the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. This leads to IFNβ expression and IL-1β activation respectively, in addition to broader effects on immune cell function. RNase-L is also one of a growing number of innate immune components that interact with the cell cytoskeleton. It can bind to several cytoskeletal proteins, including filamin A, an actin-binding protein that collaborates with RNase-L to maintain the cellular barrier to viral entry. This antiviral activity is independent of catalytic function, a unique mechanism for RNase-L. We also describe here the interaction of RNase-L with the E3 ubiquitin ligase and scaffolding protein, ligand of nump protein X (LNX), a regulator of tight junction proteins. In order to better understand the significance and context of these novel binding partners in the antimicrobial response, other innate immune protein interactions with the cytoskeleton are also discussed.

A scientific journey through the 2-5A/RNase L system

The antiviral and antitumor actions of interferons are caused, in part, by a remarkable regulated RNA cleavage pathway known as the 2-5A/RNase L system. 2'-5' linked oligoadenylates (2-5A) are produced from ATP by interferon-inducible synthetases. 2-5A activates pre-existing RNase L, resulting in the cleavage of RNAs within single-stranded regions. Activation of RNase L by 2-5A leads to an antiviral response, although precisely how this happens is a subject of ongoing investigations. Recently, RNase L was identified as the hereditary prostate cancer 1 gene. That finding has led to the discovery of a novel human retrovirus, XMRV. My scientific journey through the 2-5A system recounts some of the highlights of these efforts. Knowledge gained from studies on the 2-5A system could have an impact on development of therapies for important viral pathogens and cancer.

Antiviral actions of interferon. Interferon-regulated cellular proteins and their surprisingly selective antiviral activities

Considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular biology of the human interferon system. The genes encoding the interferons, their receptors, and the proteins that mediate many of their biological effects have been molecularly cloned and characterized. The availability of complete cDNA clones of components of the interferon systems has contributed significantly to our understanding of both the biology and the biochemistry of the antiviral actions of interferons. At the biological level, the antiviral effects of interferon may be viewed to be virus-type nonspecific. That is, treatment of cells with one type or even subspecies of interferon often leads to the generation of an antiviral state effective against a wide array of different RNA and DNA animal viruses. However, at the biochemical level, the antiviral action of interferon is often virus-type selective. That is, the apparent molecular mechanism which is primarily responsible for the inhibition of virus replication may differ considerably between virus types, and even host cells. For example, the IFN-regulated Mx protein selectively inhibits influenza virus but not other viruses when constitutively expressed in mouse cells. The IFN-regulated 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase selectively inhibits EMC and mengo viruses, two picornaviruses, but not viruses of other families when constitutively expressed in transfected cells. Some viruses are typically insensitive to the antiviral effects of interferon, both in cell culture and in intact animals. This lack of sensitivity to IFN may result from a virus-mediated direct antagonism of the interferon system. For example, in the case of adenovirus, the activation of the IFN-regulated RNA-dependent P1/elF-2 protein kinase is blocked by the virus-associated VA RNA. The relative sensitivity to interferon of different animal viruses varies appreciably. All three of the basic components required to measure an antiviral response may play a role in determining the relative effectiveness of the antiviral response: the species of interferon administered; the kind of cell treated; and, the type of virus used to challenge the interferon-treated host cell. Thus, the relative sensitivity to interferon observed for a particular interferon-cell-virus combination is likely the result of the equilibrium between the many agonists and antagonists which contribute to the overall response. That is, the relative sensitivity of a virus to the inhibitory action of IFN is governed by the qualitative nature and quantitative amount of the individual IFN-regulated cell proteins that may collectively contribute to the inhibition of virus replication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Interferon: a mediator of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase induction by lipopolysaccharide, poly(I) X poly(C), and pokeweed mitogen in mouse lung

When C3H/He mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide, poly(I) X poly(C), or pokeweed mitogen, the serum interferon titer increased almost instantaneously (100-2000 units/ml), and then the pulmonary indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase was induced 50- to 140-fold. The peaks corresponding to interferon induction always preceded (approximately 24 h) those corresponding to dioxygenase induction. In C3H/HeJ (lipopolysaccharide-nonresponder) mice, however, lipopolysaccharide was totally inert in induction of both interferon and dioxygenase, although treatment with poly(I) X poly(C) and pokeweed mitogen led to a remarkable increase in the serum interferon titer and the enzyme activity. When lymphocytes of C3H/HeJ mice were inactivated by X irradiation and then reconstituted by the transfer of spleen cells from C3H/He mice, both enzyme and interferon from C3H/HeJ mice thus treated were induced almost normally after the lipopolysaccharide treatment. In addition, murine interferon alpha/beta, which was injected intravenously in C3H/He or C3H/HeJ mice, almost instantaneously and dose-dependently induced the pulmonary enzyme, and at a dose of 10(5) units per mouse the enzyme activity was enhanced 20- to 26-fold in these two strains of mice. These results suggest that interferon, which is generated by the interaction of lymphocytes with lipopolysaccharide, poly(I) X poly(C), or pokeweed mitogen, is a mediator of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase induction in the mouse lung by these agents.

Mechanism of antiviral activity of (XyloA2'p)2XyloA

(XyloA2'p)2xyloA, the xyloadenosine core analog of the interferon mediator 2-5A [ppp(A2'p)2A], was found to exhibit potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (D. A. Eppstein, J. W. Barnett, Y. V. Marsh, G. Gosselin, and J. -L. Imbach (1983a) Nature (London) 302: 723-724). This xylo 2-5A core analog was over 100 times more stable to phosphodiester cleavage than was parent 2-5A core in cell-free extracts, which was originally thought to have contributed to its increased activity. However, we have now shown that the xylo 2-5A core does not activate the 2-5A-dependent endonuclease, and, additionally, that its mechanism of action is different from that of parent 2-5A core, even though it too does not activate the endonuclease. In fact, the mechanism of action of xylo 2-5A core apparently involves its degradation to monomer units, which then exert the antiviral effect. The enhanced antiviral activity of xylo 2-5A core (normalized to monomer-unit equivalents) as compared to that of xyloadenosine appears to be mediated through a slow release of xyloadenosine monomer units (i.e., xyloAMP). XyloAMP is resistant to inactivation by deamination, and thus intracellular xyloAMP should have increased antiviral activity compared to an equivalent concentration of xyloadenosine, which is subject to rapid inactivation by deamination.

Epstein-Barr virus-infected B lymphoblastoid cell lines: dynamics of interferon and 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity

Levels of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2'-5'OAS) activity measured in cell-free extracts of 23 Epstein-Barr virus transformed beta lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) were measured. Enzyme activity was low during stationary or log phase growth, and rapidly rose to peak values during log phase. Peak levels of 2'-5'OAS activity were characteristic for each LCL, and were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in lines derived from patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) than in lines from healthy individuals. Peak 2'-5'OAS activity correlated with maximal titers of endogenous human interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha); (r = 0.80). Enzyme activity levels could be increased by treating LCLs with exogenous HuIFN-alpha, or decreased by neutralization of endogenous interferon with antibody to HuIFN-alpha. 2'-5'OAS activity always peaked during log-phase growth, even in cultures depleted of interferon by antibody and in cultures which did not produce interferon. Thus, although peak levels of 2'-5'OAS activity in a given LCL correlated with maximal interferon titers, the growth phase associated variations in enzyme activity were independent of interferon. We conclude that regulation of constitutive levels of 2'-5'OAS in LCLs is partially independent of interferon.

Cordycepin analog of (A2'p)2A: evidence that it functions as a prodrug of cordycepin

The effect of the cordycepin trimer analog of (A2'p)2A on cell growth, cell viability and nucleic acid synthesis was assessed in human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 in vitro. The cordycepin analog, (3'dA2'p)2(3)'dA reduced 24 hr cell growth by 50% at 10(-4)M and decreased cell viability by 98% under these conditions. The cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects of (3'dA2'p)2(3)'dA on DNA and RNA synthesis were potentiated 5-10-fold by the presence of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, 2'-deoxycoformycin, and closely resembled those of the parent drug, cordycepin. Chromatographic analyses of the stability of (3'dA2'p)2(3)'dA in the tissue culture medium indicated that it was hydrolyzed to the dimer and monomer forms with a half life of approximately 2 hr. No intact (3'dA2'p)2(3)'dA was detectable intracellularly, but large concentrations of cordycepin nucleotide metabolites were formed, particularly in the presence of 2'-deoxycoformycin.

Growth regulation of melanoma cells by interferon and (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase

We report that endogenous, as well as exogenous, interferon (IFN) regulates the growth of human melanoma cells in culture. When antibodies directed against human fibroblast IFN were incorporated into the media of high-density cells stimulated to proliferate with serum, the cells entered the cell cycle earlier than did the controls. In investigating the biochemical basis for this finding, we have found that there is an inverse relationship between the (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase levels and the percentage of cells in S in untreated cultures. Upon IFN treatment, the relationship is obliterated and (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase levels increase throughout all phases of the cell cycle. This increase in enzyme levels correlates well with the decreased probability of the IFN-treated cells to cycle. These findings suggest a biological role for IFN as a negative growth factor for cells in culture.

Growth regulation of melanoma cells by interferon and (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase

We report that endogenous, as well as exogenous, interferon (IFN) regulates the growth of human melanoma cells in culture. When antibodies directed against human fibroblast IFN were incorporated into the media of high-density cells stimulated to proliferate with serum, the cells entered the cell cycle earlier than did the controls. In investigating the biochemical basis for this finding, we have found that there is an inverse relationship between the (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase levels and the percentage of cells in S in untreated cultures. Upon IFN treatment, the relationship is obliterated and (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase levels increase throughout all phases of the cell cycle. This increase in enzyme levels correlates well with the decreased probability of the IFN-treated cells to cycle. These findings suggest a biological role for IFN as a negative growth factor for cells in culture.

Xyloadenosine analogue of (A2'p)2A inhibits replication of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2

Molecules of the structure ppp(A2'p)2A containing a 2' leads to 5' phosphodiester bond, commonly abbreviated as 2-5A, are synthesized in interferon-treated virally-infected cells and have been implicated in several systems as contributing to interferon's antiviral activity. The 2-5A binds to and subsequently activates an endogenous endonuclease, ultimately resulting in degradation of RNA. We have been interested in the use of 2-5A analogues to achieve antiviral activity without the use of interferon. For this approach to be successful, analogues must be synthesized with an increased stability (native 2-5A is rapidly degraded by cellular phosphodiesterases) and with increased ability to enter intact cells. Removal of the highly-negative charged 5' terminal phosphates from ppp(A2'p)2A results in formation of the 'core' species, (A2'p)2A, which should be able to penetrate intact cells more readily. While Kimchi et al. have shown that 2-5A core has an antimitogenic effect in mouse spleen lymphocytes and 3T3 fibroblasts, Williams and Kerr have reported lack of antiviral activity against Semliki Forest virus or encephalomyocarditis virus by exogenously-administered 2-5A core. We have previously determined that (xyloA2'p)2xyloA (abbreviated as xylo 2-5A core), the xyloadenosine analogue of the 5'-terminally dephosphorylated 2-5A core, is over 100 times more stable than the parent 2-5A core species. We now report that this xylo 2-5A core inhibits replication of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 in vitro, with greater than 100 times the activity of the parent 2-5A core. The mechanism of antiviral action of the 2-5A core analogue appears to involve a pathway different from that activated by the parent 5' triphosphorylated 2-5A species.

Structural requirements of (2'-5') oligoadenylate for protein synthesis inhibition in human fibroblasts

The structural requirements of (2'-5')-oligoadenylic acid (pppA(2'p5'A)x, X greater than or equal to 1 or (2'-5'An) for inhibition of protein synthesis in cells were examined with a modified calcium-coprecipitation technique, using a series of trinucleotide analogs (pppA2'p5'A2'p5'N, N=rC, rG, rU, T, dC, dG, dA). In this system both the degree and the duration of the inhibition of protein synthesis were dependent on the added concentration of (2'-5')A3. Of all the heterotrimers, only the deoxy A derivative was active as an inhibitor of protein synthesis, while the other members of the analog series were found to have no inhibitory effects. In competition experiments between (2'-5')A3 and the non-active analogs, three heterotrimers were shown to reduce the activity of (2'-5')A3 in protein inhibition. In contrast, the dephosphorylated (2'-5')A3 had no inhibitory effect and was not effective in blocking (2'-5')A3. These results indicate that the 5'-terminal triphosphate is important for binding of (2'-5')A3 to the site of (2'-5')An action and the adenine base at the 2'-terminus is important for activating the machinery responsible for protein synthesis inhibition in the cells, most likely the (2'-5')An-activated nuclease.

5'-O-Monophosphoryladenylyl(2' goes to 5')adenylyl(2' goes to 5')adenosine is an antagonist of the action of 5'-O-triphosphoryladenylyl-(2' goes to 5')adenylyl(2' goes to 5')adenosine and double-stranded RNA

5'-O-Monophosphoryladenylyl(2' goes to 5')adenylyl-(2' goes to 5')adenosine [(2' goes to 5')(pA)3] antagonizes the protein synthesis inhibitory effects of 5'-O-triphosphoryladenylyl-(2' goes to 5')adenylyl(2' goes to 5')adenosine by preventing activation of the (2' goes to 5')oligo(a)-activated ribonuclease which degrades mRNA. The oligoribonucleotide (2' goes to 5')(pA)3 also antagonizes the translational inhibitory capacity of poly(I).poly(C) in extracts of interferon-treated L cells, suggesting that (2' goes to 5')oligo(A) is the primary mediator of the protein synthesis inhibitory effects of poly(I).poly(C) in this cell-free system.

Interferon action: RNA cleavage pattern of a (2'-5')oligoadenylate--dependent endonuclease

One of the mediators of interferon action is a latent endoribonuclease (ribonuclease L) that is activated by (2'-5')oligoadenylates. Among the homopolymers of the four common ribonucleotides, activated ribonuclease L degrades at an appreciable rate only polyuridylic acid. In two natural RNA's tested the most frequent ribonuclease L cleavages occur after UA, UG, and UU (A, adenine; U, uracil; and G, guanine) and much less frequent cleavages after CA and AC (C, cytosine).

Inhibition of vaccinia mRNA methylation by 2',5'-linked oligo(adenylic acid) triphosphate

Extracts of interferon-treated cells synthesize unique 2',5'-linked oligo(adenylic acid) 5'-phosphates in the presence of ATP and double-stranded RNA. 2',5'-linked oligo(adenylic acid) 5'-triphosphate inhibits protein synthesis at nanomolar concentrations by activating RNase. We have observed that oligo(adenylic acid) 5'-monophosphate and 5'-triphosphate are potent inhibitors of vaccinia mRNA methylation in vitro. Both the methylation of mRNA methylation is not due to degradation of the mRNA. Inhibition of the 5'-terminal guanine at the 7 position and the 2'-O-ribose methylation of the penultimate nucleoside are inhibited. Such inhibition of the requisite modification of the 5' terminus of mRNA by 2',5'-linked oligo(adenylic acids) may be a mechanism of interferon action against both DNA and RNA viruses in which mRNAs derived from them are capped.

Double-stranded RNA inhibits a phosphoprotein phosphatase present in interferon-treated cells

In accord with previous studies, (I)n . (C)n, a potent inhibitor of the cell-free protein-synthesizing system of interferon-treated L cells, stimulates incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into the 67,000-dalton protein, P1. The double-stranded RNA (I)n . (br5C)n, which is inactive as an inhibitory of protein synthesis, does not stimulate phosphorylation of P1 under conditions approximating those of protein synthesis. However, we have found conditions under which (I)n . (br5C)n is approximately as effective as (I)n . (C)n in stimulating incorporation of label from [gamma-32P]ATP into 67,000-dalton protein. Upon transfer of labeled P1 from these conditions to those compatible with protein synthesis, there is a time-dependent decrease in label in the 67,000-dalton protein. This decrease is more rapid in the presence of (I)n . (br5C)n than in the presence of (I)n . (C)n. This differential decrease is also observed when 32P-labeled extracts are diluted into buffer containing 10 mM ATP, hexokinase and 1 and M glucose, or Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase. A partial proteolytic digest of P1 labeled in the absence of double-stranded RNA or in the presence of (I)n . (C)n or (I)n . (br5C)n gives rise to similar peptide patterns. These results suggest that dephosphorylation as well as phosphorylation determines the net incorporation of 32P into P1. Moreover, these results suggest the existence of a phosphatase activity that may be inhibited more strongly by (I)n . (C)n than by (I)n . (br5C)n.

Kinetics of decay in the expression of interferon-dependent mRNAs responsible for resistance to virus

We used 5,6-dichloro-beta D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole (DRB), a selective and reversible inhibitor of mRNA production, to investigate the regulation of the pathway leading to resistance to viruses in cells treated with interferon (IF). DRB allows initiation of transcription but promotes premature termination of the nucleotide chains, so that it abolishes interferon-dependent protection against viruses. When the DRB is removed, synthesis of complete mRNAs can resume. Mouse L-929 cells were exposed to 100 microM DRB before and during a 1-hr pulse of IF followed by treatment with antibody to IF to prevent cell-to-cell spread of IF after that time. At different intervals thereafter the cells were washed and the DRB was replaced by medium; after further incubation, the cells were infected with vesicular stomatitis virus. Resistance to virus was inversely proportional to the duration of the block imposed by DRB. When the DRB was removed soon after the IF pulse, substantial protection from virus ensued, but none developed when removal of the DRB was deferred for 5-6 hr. Cells exposed to DRB for 5 hr, then pulsed with IF for 1 hr, still mounted a strong antiviral response. The data show that the ability of cells to resist viral infection decays within 5-6 hr after treatment with IF. Whether the decay is due to shutoff of transcription of mRNAs, or to their destruction or degradation, or whether regulation takes place at one or more subsequent steps in the antiviral pathway, remains to be determined.

Differential effects of two interferon-induced translational inhibitors on initiation of protein synthesis

At least two different mechanisms for the inhibition of mRNA translation operate in extracts of interferon-treated L cells. One is mediated by an interferon-induced protein kinase which, when activated by double-stranded RNA and ATP, phosphorylates the small subunit of initiation factor eIF-2. Addition of the purified interferon-induced protein kinase to L cell extracts, strongly reduces the amount of methionyl-tRNA bound to 40-S ribosomal subunits. The second translational inhibition is due to the synthesis of (2'-5')oligo(adenylate) by interferon-induced enzyme E. The oligonucleotide in turn activates a ribonuclease F constitutively present in L cells. Addition of the purified nuclease with its oligonucleotide activator to L cell extracts produces a strong decrease in polyribosome formation and an accumulation of initiation complex. These experiments differentiate the effects of the two interferon-induced inhibitors on mRNA translation.