IFNA2
Description
The IFNA2 (interferon alpha 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 9.
Interferon alpha-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IFNA2 gene. It is a cytokine belonging to the family of type I interferons. Interferon alpha-2 is secreted by cells infected by a virus and acts on other cells to inhibit viral infection. The first description of interferons as a cellular agent interfering with viral replication was made by Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindenmann in 1957. There are 3 types of interferons: Interferon type I, Interferon type II and Interferon type III. The type II interferon, also called IFNγ, is produced by specific cells of the immune system. Unlike type I and type III interferons, IFNγ has only a modest role in directly restricting viral infections. Type I and type III interferons act similarly. However, the action of type III interferons, also known as IFNλ, is limited to epithelial cells while type I interferons act on all body's cells. Type I interferons form a family of several proteins: in humans, there are 13 α subtypes, 1 β subtype, 1 ω subtype and other less studied subtypes (κ and ε).
Produced by macrophages, IFN-alpha has antiviral activities.
IFNA2 is also known as IFN-alpha-2, IFN-alphaA, IFNA, IFNA2B, leIF A.
Associated Diseases
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- COVID-19
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Miyoshi myopathy
- Pallister-Hall syndrome
- cancer
