IRF8
Encyclopedia
Interferon regulatory factor 8, also known as IRF8 and ICSBP, is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the IRF8 gene
.
of the interferon
regulatory factor (IRF
) family. Proteins of this family are composed of a conserved DNA-binding domain
in the N-terminal region and a divergent C-terminal region that serves as the regulatory domain. The IRF family proteins bind to the IFN-stimulated response element
(ISRE) and regulate expression of genes stimulated by type I IFNs, namely IFN-α and IFN-β. IRF family proteins also control expression of IFN-α and IFN-β-regulated genes that are induced by viral infection.
Mouse IFN-producing cells (mIPCs) were absent in all lymphoid organs from ICSBP KO mice, as revealed by lack of CD11c(low)B220(+)Ly6C(+)CD11b(-) cells. In parallel, CD11c(+) cells isolated from ICSBP KO spleens were unable to produce type I IFNs in response to viral stimulation. ICSBP KO mice also displayed a marked reduction of the DC subset expressing the CD8alpha marker (CD8alpha(+) DCs) in spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus. Moreover, ICSBP-deficient CD8alpha(+) DCs exhibited a markedly impaired phenotype when compared with WT DCs. They expressed very low levels of costimulatory molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]-1, CD40, CD80, CD86) and of the T cell area-homing chemokine receptor CCR7.
with IRF1
and COPS2
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the IRF8 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
Interferon Consensus Sequence-binding protein (ICSBP) is a transcription factorTranscription factor
In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...
of the interferon
Interferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
regulatory factor (IRF
Interferon regulatory factors
Interferon regulatory factors are proteins which regulate transcription of interferons .They are used in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway....
) family. Proteins of this family are composed of a conserved 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...
in the N-terminal region and a divergent C-terminal region that serves as the regulatory domain. The IRF family proteins bind to the IFN-stimulated response element
Response element
Response elements are short sequences of DNA within a gene promoter region that are able to bind a specific transcription factor and regulate transcription of genes.-Examples:Examples of response elements include:*Hormone response element...
(ISRE) and regulate expression of genes stimulated by type I IFNs, namely IFN-α and IFN-β. IRF family proteins also control expression of IFN-α and IFN-β-regulated genes that are induced by viral infection.
Mouse IFN-producing cells (mIPCs) were absent in all lymphoid organs from ICSBP KO mice, as revealed by lack of CD11c(low)B220(+)Ly6C(+)CD11b(-) cells. In parallel, CD11c(+) cells isolated from ICSBP KO spleens were unable to produce type I IFNs in response to viral stimulation. ICSBP KO mice also displayed a marked reduction of the DC subset expressing the CD8alpha marker (CD8alpha(+) DCs) in spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus. Moreover, ICSBP-deficient CD8alpha(+) DCs exhibited a markedly impaired phenotype when compared with WT DCs. They expressed very low levels of costimulatory molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]-1, CD40, CD80, CD86) and of the T cell area-homing chemokine receptor CCR7.
Interactions
IRF8 has been shown to interactProtein-protein interaction
Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...
with 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 COPS2
COPS2
COP9 signalosome complex subunit 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the COPS2 gene.-Interactions:COPS2 has been shown to interact with IRF8, NIF3L1, Thyroid hormone receptor alpha and DAX1.-Further reading:...
.