Interferon-kappa, a novel type I interferon expressed in human keratinocytes.

Abstract

High throughput cDNA sequencing has led to the identification of interferon-kappa, a novel subclass of type I interferon that displays approximately 30% homology to other family members. Interferon-kappa consists of 207 amino acids, including a 27-amino acid signal peptide and a series of cysteines conserved in type I interferons. The gene encoding interferon-kappa is located on the short arm of chromosome 9 adjacent to the type I interferon gene cluster and is selectively expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. Expression of interferon-kappa is significantly enhanced in keratinocytes upon viral infection, upon exposure to double-stranded RNA, or upon treatment with either interferon-gamma or interferon-beta. Administration of interferon-kappa recombinant protein imparts cellular protection against viral infection in a species-specific manner. Interferon-kappa activates the interferon-stimulated response element signaling pathway and a panel of genes similar to those regulated by other type I interferons including anti-viral mediators and transcriptional regulators. An antibody that neutralizes the type I interferon receptor completely blocks interferon-kappa signaling, demonstrating that interferon-kappa utilizes the same receptor as other type I interferons. Interferon-kappa therefore defines a novel subclass of type I interferon that is expressed in keratinocytes and expands the repertoire of known proteins mediating host defense.

• Authors: D W LaFleur, B Nardelli, T Tsareva, D Mather, P Feng, M Semenuk, K Taylor, M Buergin, D Chinchilla, V Roshke, G Chen, S M Ruben, P M Pitha, T A Coleman, P A Moore
• Journal: The Journal of biological chemistry (J Biol Chem) Vol. 276 Issue 43 Pg. 39765-71 (Oct 26 2001) ISSN: 0021-9258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11514542 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferon Type I
• Membrane Proteins
• Receptors, Interferon
• interferon kappa
• Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Antiviral Agents (metabolism)
• Base Sequence
• Chromosome Mapping
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Epidermal Cells
• Epidermis (metabolism)
• Gene Library
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Keratinocytes (metabolism)
• Membrane Proteins
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Open Reading Frames
• Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
• Receptors, Interferon (metabolism)
• Response Elements
• Sequence Analysis, DNA
• Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
• Signal Transduction