Interferon Gamma, Rat (IFNG) Active Protein

Function: Produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens. IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions. It is a potent activator of macrophages, it has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons.

Subunit structure: Homodimer.

Subcellular location: Secreted.

Tissue specificity: Released primarily from activated T lymphocytes.

Post-translational modification: Proteolytic processing produces C-terminal heterogeneity, with proteins ending alternatively at Gly-150, Met-157 or Gly-161.

Involvement in disease: In Caucasians, genetic variation in IFNG is associated with the risk of aplastic anemia (AA) [

MIM:609135]. AA is a rare disease in which the reduction of the circulating blood cells results from damage to the stem cell pool in bone marrow. In most patients, the stem cell lesion is caused by an autoimmune attack. T-lymphocytes, activated by an endogenous or exogenous, and most often unknown antigenic stimulus, secrete cytokines, including IFN-gamma, which would in turn be able to suppress hematopoiesis.

Pharmaceutical use: Available under the name Actimmune (Genentech). Used for reducing the frequency and severity of serious infections associated with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the type II (or gamma) interferon family.