IFNK

Interferon kappa, also known as IFN-kappa, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IFNK gene.

Function

IFN-kappa is a member of the type I interferon family. Type I interferons are a group of related glycoproteins that play an important role in host defenses against viral infections. This protein is expressed in keratinocytes and the gene is found on chromosome 9, adjacent to the type I interferon cluster.

References

3.Antiviral activity of transiently expressed IFN-kappa is cell-associated. Buontempo, P.J., Jubin, R.G., Buontempo, C.A., Wagner, N.E., Reyes, G.R., Baroudy, B.M. J. Interferon Cytokine Res. (2006) [Pubmed]

Further reading

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.