The structure of human interferon lambda and what it has taught us.
Type III interferon (IFN) or IFN-lambda is a novel family of class II cytokines that induces antiviral activities both in vitro and in vivo through its own distinctive receptor complex. The recent crystal structure of human IFN-lambda3 revealed a cytokine with structural similarity to the interleukin-10 family, despite functionally being an IFN. Here, we review the structure of IFN-lambda and its relation to the other members of the class II cytokines. Further, we analyze the structural differences between the tree human isoforms of IFN-lambda and relate this to the observed differences in potency.
Gad
Hans Henrik
HH
Department of Molecular Biology, Centre for Structural Biology, Aarhus University, Arhus, Denmark.
Hamming
Ole Jensen
OJ
Hartmann
Rune
R
D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D040681:Structural Homology, Protein; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D007372:Interferons; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007378:Interleukins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda