Interferon beta is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''IFNB1''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
The natural and
recombinant protein
Recombinant DNA (rDNA) molecules are DNA molecules formed by laboratory methods of genetic recombination (such as molecular cloning) that bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating DNA sequence, sequences that would not othe ...
forms have antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties.
Interferon beta 1a (tradenames: Avonex and Rebif) and
Interferon beta 1b (tradenames: Betaseron/Betaferon) are used as drugs.
References
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