Chengfeng Ren/Sandbox1

IFN Categories and IFNβ-1a sourcesIFN Categories and IFNβ-1a sources

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of helical cytokines that mediate antiviral, antiproliferative, and immune modulatory activities in response to biological and chemical stimuli. Two types of IFN are recognized on the basis of their physical and biological properties; type I, which contains the monomeric IFNs-α,-β,-τ, and -ω, and type II, the only member of which is the dimeric IFN-γ. Representatives of all type I and type II IFNs are found in humans, except for IFN-τ, which is found only in ruminant ungulates. There are 12 different human IFNs-α;each one comprising a different subtype,although 14 different genes have been identified, whereas human IFN-β, IFN-ω, and IFN-γare encoded by single genes[1].

Interferon-βhas two subtyes, interferon-β-1a and interferon-β-1b. Interferon-β-1a is naturally expressed in numerous cell types in human, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, epithelial cells and various leukocytes, however,Interferon-β-1b is produced in modified E. coli.

Here is a jpg clearly illustrating IFNs categories.

Structure info. of IFNβ-1aStructure info. of IFNβ-1a

IFNβ-1a consisting of 166 amino acids, around 20KDa. It has 5 helixs.

spinqualitylabelsall models IFN structure from PDB Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image

IFNβ-1a biological activity and therapeutic effectsIFNβ-1a biological activity and therapeutic effects

IFNβ-1a as well as other family of IFNs has a variety of biological activities, inluding antiviral, antiproliferative, and immune modulatory activities in response to biological and chemical stimuli.

IFNβ-1a is mainly used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis(MS). MS is a life-long disease that affects your nervous system by destroying the protective covering (myelin) that surrounds your nerve fibers. The commercial available drug format is AvonexAvonex.(Please refer to the drug guide before using it)

ReferenceReference

[1]Protein Science (1999),8:1867–1877