Characterization of the Murine Alpha Interferon Gene Family

摘要: Mouse and human genomes carry more than a dozen genes coding for closely related alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) subtypes. IFN-alpha, as well IFN-beta, IFN-kappa, IFN-epsilon, limitin, are thought to bind the same receptor, raising question of whether different IFN subtypes possess specific functions. As some confusion existed in identity characteristics mouse IFN-alpha subtypes, availability data from genome sequence prompted us characterize murine family. A total 14 were detected genome, addition three pseudogenes. Four (IFN-alpha1, IFN-alpha7/10, IFN-alpha8/6, IFN-alpha11) exhibited surprising allelic divergence between 129/Sv C57BL/6 mice. All found be stable at pH 2 exhibit antiviral activity. Interestingly, (IFN-alpha4, IFN-alpha11, IFN-alpha12, limitin) showed higher biological activity levels others, whereas IFN-alpha7/10 lower Most turned out N-glycosylated. However, no correlation was N-glycosylation The various displayed good their antiproliferative potencies, suggesting that did not diverge primarily acquire activities but probably evolved expression patterns. In L929 cells, activated response poly(I*C) transfection or viral infection were, however, similar.