IFN-αs are proteins secreted by leukocyte. They are mainly involved in innate immune response against viral infection. The IFN-α family has 13 subtypes and 23 different variants. The individual proteins have molecular masses between 19-26 kDa and consist of proteins with lengths of 156-166 and 172 amino acids. All IFN-α subtypes possess a common conserved sequence region between amino acid positions 115-151 while the amino-terminal ends are variable. Many IFN-alpha subtypes differ in their sequences at only one or two positions. Naturally occurring variants also include proteins truncated by 10 amino acids at the carboxy-terminal end.
1. Tarhini AA, Gogas H, Kirkwood JM. 2012. J Immunol, 189: 3789-93.
2. Tohyama M, Yang L, Hanakawa Y, et al. 2012. J Invest Dermatol, 132: 1933-5.
3. Corssmit EP, Heijligenberg R, Hack CE, et al. 1997. Clin Exp Immunol, 107: 359-63.
4. Corssmit EP, de Metz J, Sauerwein HP, et al. 2000. J Interferon Cytokine Res, 20: 1039-47.