Interferon kappa, also known as IFN-kappa, 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 ''IFNK''
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 ...
.
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
keratinocyte
Keratinocytes are the primary type of cell found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. In humans, they constitute 90% of epidermal skin cells.
Basal cells in the basal layer (''stratum basale'') of the skin are sometimes referre ...
s 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)
ubmed
Further reading
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