Measuring DNA

This artwork was ordered by Oliveira Mann to illustrate her rsearch. She explores how a protein called OAS2 helps the human body detect and fight viruses. OAS2 is part of a family of proteins that sense double-stranded RNA, a common indicator of viral infection. When OAS2 detects this viral RNA, it can trigger a chain reaction that activates another protein, RNase L, which then destroys both viral and some cellular RNA to stop the virus from replicating.

What makes this study significant is that it reveals new details about how OAS2 works at a molecular level. The researchers discovered that OAS2 usually exists in an inactive, "autoinhibited" state as a pair of molecules (a dimer) held together by a zinc atom. This structure prevents OAS2 from mistakenly attacking the body’s own RNA. The team found that only when OAS2 encounters long strands of viral RNA does it become active. This is because one part of the OAS2 molecule acts like a ruler, measuring the RNA and ensuring that only long, virus-like RNA triggers the defense response. They also showed that OAS2 needs to be attached to certain parts of the cell, specifically the Golgi membranes, to function properly and fight viruses like coronaviruses.

Finally, the research highlights the unique and essential role of OAS2 in the immune system. The authors identified a patient with a genetic mutation that caused OAS2 to stop working, which led to a severe autoimmune disease. This finding underscores how important OAS2 is for balancing effective antiviral defense with preventing harmful immune reactions against the body itself.