Interferon-gamma activates the cleavage of double-stranded RNA by bovine seminal ribonuclease.

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase), a dimeric homologue of RNase A, cleaves both single- and double-stranded RNA and inhibits the growth of tumor cells. Its catalytic activity against double-stranded RNA, either homopolymeric ([3H]polyA/polyU) or mixed sequence, is enhanced by bovine or human recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Activation is seen with as little as 4-10 interferon units per assay. Enhancing the degradation of double-stranded RNA, an intermediate in the growth cycle of many viruses, could contribute to IFN-gamma's ability to control cell growth and induce an antiviral state.