Interferon-kappa, a novel type I interferon expressed in human keratinocytes.

Article Details

Citation

LaFleur DW, Nardelli B, Tsareva T, Mather D, Feng P, Semenuk M, Taylor K, Buergin M, Chinchilla D, Roshke V, Chen G, Ruben SM, Pitha PM, Coleman TA, Moore PA

Interferon-kappa, a novel type I interferon expressed in human keratinocytes.

J Biol Chem. 2001 Oct 26;276(43):39765-71. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M102502200. Epub 2001 Aug 20.

PubMed ID
11514542 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

High throughput cDNA sequencing has led to the identification of interferon-kappa, a novel subclass of type I interferon that displays approximately 30% homology to other family members. Interferon-kappa consists of 207 amino acids, including a 27-amino acid signal peptide and a series of cysteines conserved in type I interferons. The gene encoding interferon-kappa is located on the short arm of chromosome 9 adjacent to the type I interferon gene cluster and is selectively expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. Expression of interferon-kappa is significantly enhanced in keratinocytes upon viral infection, upon exposure to double-stranded RNA, or upon treatment with either interferon-gamma or interferon-beta. Administration of interferon-kappa recombinant protein imparts cellular protection against viral infection in a species-specific manner. Interferon-kappa activates the interferon-stimulated response element signaling pathway and a panel of genes similar to those regulated by other type I interferons including anti-viral mediators and transcriptional regulators. An antibody that neutralizes the type I interferon receptor completely blocks interferon-kappa signaling, demonstrating that interferon-kappa utilizes the same receptor as other type I interferons. Interferon-kappa therefore defines a novel subclass of type I interferon that is expressed in keratinocytes and expands the repertoire of known proteins mediating host defense.

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