Characterization of a Novel 2'-5' Oligoadenylate in Stimulated Lymphocytes

We have analysed Con A-stimulated mouse lymphocytes for the presence of 2'-5'-linked oligoadenylates using a radioimmunoassay based on a monoclonal antibody raised against adenylyl (2'-5') adenosine (A2'pA). Time-course and Con A dose dependence were performed.We found that Con A induced, in a dose-dependant manner, the accumulation of immunoreactive material, together with the incorporation of 3H-thymidine in DNA. We showed that the immunoreactive material was constituted for the essential, by a novel 2'-5' oligoadenylate. It was isolated and characterized as adenylyl 2'-5'adenylic acid (2' and 3'P) according to the combination of criteria such as immunoreactivity, enzyme susceptibility, chromatographic behaviour and comparison with A2'pA3'(32P)p, A2'pA3'p acid A2'pA2'p that we have chemically synthetized. This is the first example of significant variations of a 2'-5' oligoadenylate level in circumstances other than the antiviral mechanism of interferon.