Chengfeng Ren/Sandbox1
From Proteopedia
Contents |
IFN Categories and IFNβ-1a sources
Interferons (IFNs) are a family of helical cytokines that mediate antiviral, antiproliferative, and immune modulatory activities in response to biological and chemical stimuli. Two types of IFN are recognized on the basis of their physical and biological properties; type I, which contains the monomeric IFNs-α,-β,-τ, and -ω, and type II, the only member of which is the dimeric IFN-γ. Representatives of all type I and type II IFNs are found in humans, except for IFN-τ, which is found only in ruminant ungulates. There are 12 different human IFNs-α;each one comprising a different subtype,although 14 different genes have been identified, whereas human IFN-β, IFN-ω, and IFN-γare encoded by single genes[1].
Interferon-βhas two subtyes, interferon-β-1a and interferon-β-1b. Interferon-β-1a is naturally expressed in numerous cell types in human, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, epithelial cells and various leukocytes, however,Interferon-β-1b is produced in modified E. coli.
Here is a jpg clearly illustrating IFNs categories.
Structure info. of IFNβ-1a
IFNβ-1a consisting of 166 amino acids, around 20KDa. It has 5 helixs.
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IFNβ-1a biological activity and therapeutic effects
Mechanism of action for IFNβ-1a
Reference
[1]Protein Science (1999),8:1867–1877
