Understanding the IRF5 Gene through Characterization of its Four Promoters

Authors

Lissenya Argueta, Brigham Young University
Dr. Brian Poole, Brigham Young University

Keywords

IRF5, Interferon Regulatory Factor 5, immune response, cytokine

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) is a transcription factor involved with the innate antiviral immune response and primarily expressed in immune cells1. This protein is responsible for the regulation of interferon activity and cytokine signaling, namely that of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These processes play major roles in autoimmune diseases. IRF5 is also involved with control of cell cycle and apoptosis upon activation2, therefore in certain cancers it can be inactivated3,4. The IRF5 gene has four different promoters for each first exon: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. Each promoter is distinct, displaying unique correlations with certain proteins. However, the resulting IRF5 protein produced is identical in all cases. That means there are 4 distinct ways to turn on IRF5.

Recommended Citation

Argueta, Lissenya and Poole, Dr. Brian (2014) "Understanding the IRF5 Gene through Characterization of its Four Promoters," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 782.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/782