Interferon regulatory factors: the next generation

Gene. 1999 Sep 3;237(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/s0378-1119(99)00262-0.

Abstract

Interferons are a large family of multifunctional secreted proteins involved in antiviral defense, cell growth regulation and immune activation. Viral infection induces transcription of multiple IFN genes, a response that is in part mediated by the interferon regulatory factors (IRFs). The initially characterized members IRF-1 and IRF-2 are now part of a growing family of transcriptional regulators that has expanded to nine members. The functions of the IRFs have also expanded to include distinct roles in biological processes such as pathogen response, cytokine signaling, cell growth regulation and hematopoietic development. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the novel discoveries in the area of IRF transcription factors and the important roles of the new generation of IRFs--particularly IRF-3, IRF-4 and IRF-7.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-2
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3
  • Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit
  • Interferons / genetics*
  • Interferons / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phosphoproteins / chemistry
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • IRF1 protein, human
  • IRF2 protein, human
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • IRF7 protein, human
  • IRF9 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-2
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Interferon Regulatory Factors
  • Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3
  • Interferon-Stimulated Gene Factor 3, gamma Subunit
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • interferon regulatory factor-4
  • interferon regulatory factor-8
  • Interferons