Suppressing PARylation by 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 inhibits DNA damage-induced cell death

High expression of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), which adds AMP residues in 2', 5' linkage to a variety of substrates, is observed in many cancers as a part of the Interferon-Related DNA Damage Resistance Signature (IRDS). Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is rapidly synthesized from NAD+ at sites of DNA damage to facilitate repair, but excessive PAR synthesis due to extensive DNA damage results in cell death by energy depletion and/or activation of PAR-dependent programmed cell death pathways. We find that OAS1 adds AMP residues in 2'-5' linkage to PAR, inhibiting its synthesis in vitro and reducing its accumulation in cells. Increased OAS1 expression substantially improves cell viability following DNA-damaging treatments that stimulate PAR synthesis during DNA repair. We conclude that high expression of OAS1 in cancer cells promotes their ability to survive DNA damage by attenuating PAR synthesis and thus preventing cell death.