Virus infection induces type I interferons (IFNs) that in turn exert their pleiotropic effects through inducing a large number of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The IFN-induced 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OASs) have been identified as a member of the ISGs family characterized by the ability to synthesize 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A), which can induce the degradation of viral RNA by activating RNase L within the infected cells to block viral replications. In this study, we characterized the OASs of the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis), a small mammal genetically close to primates and has the potential as animal model for viral infections. We identified 4 putative tree shrew OASs (tOASs, including tOAS1, tOAS2, tOASL1, and tOASL2) and characterized their roles in antiviral responses. Tree shrew lost tOAS3 that was presented in human and mouse. Phylogenetic analyses based on the protein sequences showed a close relationship of tOASs with those of mammals. Constitutive mRNA expression of tOASs was found in seven tissues (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, small intestine and brain). Moreover, tOASs were significantly up-regulated upon various virus infections. Overexpression of tOASs significantly inhibited DNA virus and RNA virus replications in tree shrew primary renal cells. tOAS1 and tOAS2, but not tOASL1 and tOASL2, exerted their anti-HSV activity in an RNase L-dependent pathway. Collectively, our results revealed the evolutionary conservation of tOASs in tree shrew and might offer helpful information for creating viral infection models using the Chinese tree shrew.
Keywords: Chinese tree shrew; Innate immunity; OAS; RNase L; Virus infection.
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