Regulation of the interferon system, immune response and oncogenesis by the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-1.
Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a transcriptional activator which was originally identified as the regulator of the type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) gene expression. Subsequent studies have revealed that IRF-1 is involved in a wide spectrum of the host defense mechanisms, including the antiviral response by IFNs. IRF-1 has also been shown to regulate a variety of cytokines and their target genes, thereby contributing to the development and function of the Th1-type immune response. Furthermore, IRF-1 is a critical regulator of cell growth and death, and its inactivation accelerates cell transformation. IRF-1 may be a prototypical example of a transcription factor which can selectively modulate distinct sets of genes depending on the cell type and/or nature of the cellular stimuli, so as to evoke appropriate response in each.
Taniguchi
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T
Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan. tada@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Tanaka
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N
Taki
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S
D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000276:immunology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C494257:IRF1 protein, human; D050856:Interferon Regulatory Factor-1; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D007372:Interferons