Interferon regulatory factor 3, also known as IRF3, is an interferon regulatory factor.

Function

IRF3 is a member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family. IRF3 was originally discovered as a homolog of IRF1

IRF1

Interferon regulatory factor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IRF1 gene.- Function :Interferon regulatory factor 1 was the first member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor family identified...

 and IRF2

IRF2

Interferon regulatory factor 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IRF2 gene.-Interactions:IRF2 has been shown to interact with BRD7, EP300 and PCAF.-Further reading:- External links :...

. IRF3 has been further characterized and shown to contain several functional domains including a nuclear export signal, a DNA-binding domain

DNA-binding domain

A DNA-binding domain is an independently folded protein domain that contains at least one motif that recognizes double- or single-stranded DNA. A DBD can recognize a specific DNA sequence or have a general affinity to DNA...

, a C-terminal IRF association domain and several regulatory phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group to a protein or other organic molecule. Phosphorylation activates or deactivates many protein enzymes....

 sites. IRF3 is found in an inactive cytoplasmic form that upon serine/threonine phosphorylation forms a complex with CREBBP

CREB binding protein

CREB-binding protein, also known as CREBBP or CBP, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CREBBP gene.The CREB protein carries out its function by activating transcription, where interaction with transcription factors is managed by one or more of p300 domains: the nuclear receptor...

. This complex translocates to the nucleus and activates the transcription of interferons alpha and beta, as well as other interferon-induced genes.

IRF3 plays an important role in the innate immune system

Innate immune system

The innate immune system, also known as non-specific immune system and secondary line of defence, comprises the cells and mechanisms that defend the host from infection by other organisms in a non-specific manner...

's response to viral infection. Aggregated MAVS

VISA (gene)

Mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAVS gene. The protein is also known by the names VISA, IPS-1 and Cardif. Aggregated MAVS form protease resistant prion-like aggregates that activate IRF3 dimerization. - NCBI Refseq summary of MAVS :-Further...

have been found to activate IRF3 dimerization.

Further reading

External links