IFN-Gamma (IFNG) Active Protein

This gene encodes a soluble cytokine that is a member of the type II interferon class. The encoded protein is secreted by cells of the both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The active protein is a homodimer that binds to the interferon gamma receptor which triggers a cellular response to viral and microbial inflections. Mice deficient in this gene have increased susceptibility to viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and to several autoimmune diseases. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]

IFNG: 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. Homodimer. Released primarily from activated T lymphocytes. Belongs to the type II (or gamma) interferon family.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; Secreted, signal peptide; Cytokine; Secreted

Cellular Component: extracellular space; cell; extracellular region; intracellular; external side of plasma membrane

Molecular Function: protein binding; interferon-gamma receptor binding; cytokine activity

Biological Process: positive regulation of isotype switching to IgG isotypes; positive regulation of cell adhesion; positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process; negative regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation; positive regulation of interleukin-23 production; positive regulation of interleukin-12 production; positive regulation of osteoclast differentiation; apoptosis; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of interleukin-6 biosynthetic process; negative regulation of epithelial cell differentiation; positive regulation of killing of cells of another organism; positive regulation of interleukin-1 beta secretion; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; sensory perception of mechanical stimulus; positive regulation of membrane protein ectodomain proteolysis; negative regulation of cell proliferation; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; regulation of growth; positive regulation of MHC class II biosynthetic process; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of T cell proliferation; cell cycle arrest; defense response to virus; regulation of the force of heart contraction; positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation of STAT protein; positive regulation of synaptic transmission, cholinergic; neutrophil chemotaxis; adaptive immune response; regulation of immune response; CD8-positive, alpha-beta T cell differentiation during immune response; negative regulation of myelination; unfolded protein response; response to virus; positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor production; defense response to protozoan; humoral immune response; inflammatory cell apoptosis; antigen processing and presentation; positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 protein; positive regulation of interleukin-12 biosynthetic process; positive regulation of chemokine biosynthetic process; negative regulation of interleukin-17 production; protein import into nucleus, translocation; defense response to bacterium; neutrophil apoptosis; immune response; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of neuron differentiation; regulation of insulin secretion