| Modification Notes |
IFN-gamma induces a variety of biological responses, such as antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activity in sensitive cells. Activation of the IFN-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR) leads to autophosphorylation of the Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK2, and the nuclear translocation of the transcription factors Stat1alpha p91 and Stat1β p84. The IFN-gammaR is composed of at least two chains, designated IFN-gammaRalpha and IFN-gammaRbeta, respectively. Although expression of IFN-gammaRalpha is sufficient for ligand binding, it alone does not confer responsiveness to IFN-gamma. Concomitant expression of IFN-gammaRalpha and IFN-gammaRbeta is required for transcriptional activation of IFN-gamma-inducible genes. The IFN-gammaRbeta chain, also called AF-1, is 332 and 337 amino acids in length in mouse and human, respectively, and may represent the signal transducing component of the IFN-gammaR. |
