Interleukin 29
Encyclopedia
Interleukin-29 is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the IL29 gene
that resides on chromosome 19.
IL-29 is a member of the helical cytokine
family and is a type III interferon
. It is also known as IFNλ1 and is highly similar in amino acid sequence to the IL-28
, the other type III interferon. IL-29 plays an important role in host defenses against microbes and its gene
is highly upregulated in cells infected with virus
es.
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...
that in humans is encoded by the IL29 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...
that resides on chromosome 19.
IL-29 is a member of the helical cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
family and is a type III 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...
. It is also known as IFNλ1 and is highly similar in amino acid sequence to the IL-28
Interleukin 28
Interleukin-28 is a cytokine that comes in two isoforms, IL-28A and IL-28B, and plays a role in immune defense against viruses, including the induction an "antiviral state" by turning on Mx proteins, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase as well as ISGF3G...
, the other type III interferon. IL-29 plays an important role in host defenses against microbes and its 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...
is highly upregulated in cells infected with virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
es.