Interferon Gamma (IFNg)

This gene encodes a soluble cytokine that is a member of the type II interferon class. The encoded protein is secreted by cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The active protein is a homodimer that binds to the interferon gamma receptor which triggers a cellular response to viral and microbial infections. Mutations in this gene are associated with an increased susceptibility to viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and to several autoimmune diseases. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2015]

IFNG: Produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens. IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions. It is a potent activator of macrophages, it has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons. Homodimer. Released primarily from activated T lymphocytes. Belongs to the type II (or gamma) interferon family.

Protein type: Secreted; Membrane protein, integral; Secreted, signal peptide; Cytokine

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 12q14

Cellular Component: extracellular region; extracellular space

Molecular Function: cytokine activity

Biological Process: adaptive immune response; apoptosis; cell cycle arrest; cell motility; cell surface receptor linked signal transduction; humoral immune response; negative regulation of epithelial cell differentiation; negative regulation of interleukin-17 production; negative regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of autophagy; positive regulation of CD4-positive, CD25-positive, alpha-beta regulatory T cell differentiation during immune response; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of interleukin-12 production; positive regulation of interleukin-23 production; positive regulation of killing of cells of another organism; positive regulation of membrane protein ectodomain proteolysis; positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process; positive regulation of osteoclast differentiation; positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation of STAT protein; positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 protein; protein import into nucleus, translocation; regulation of insulin secretion; response to virus

Disease: Aplastic Anemia; Hepatitis C Virus, Susceptibility To; Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1, Susceptibility To; Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Susceptibility To; Tuberous Sclerosis 2