| Modification Notes |
IFN-© induces a variety of biological responses, such as antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activity in sensitive cells (1–3). Activation of the IFN-© receptor (IFN-©R) leads to autophosphorylation of the Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK2, and the nuclear translocation of the transcription factors Stat1å p91 and Stat1∫ p84 (3–6). The IFN-©R is composed of at least two chains, designated IFN-©Rå and IFN-©R∫, respectively (7–9). Although expression of IFN-©Rå is sufficient for ligand binding, it alone does not confer responsiveness to IFN-© (7). Concomitant expression of IFN-©Rå and IFN-©R∫ is required for transcriptional activation of IFN-©-inducible genes (7,8). The IFN-©R∫ 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-©R (7,8). |