Background

Most mammalian species have multiple IFN-Alpha subtypes. Although the reasons for these multiple subtypes are not fully known, there are clear cell type and temporal differences in their expression. A recent study established a nomenclature for the mouse IFN-Alpha subtypes (van Pesch, et al. 2004) and determined relative activities of the subtypes with protein quantification by phosphorimaging of metabolically-labeled protein. In this study, Mouse IFN-Alpha A was deemed to have average antiviral activity when compared with the potency of the other subtypes.

Mouse IFN-Alpha A was initially cloned by Daugherty, et al. (1984) J. Interferon Res. 4(4) 635]. Being the first commercially available Mouse IFN-Alpha protein, it has been used extensively in published research reports. Expression of this subtype has been observed in neurons infected with Theiler’s virus [Delhaye, et al. (2006) PNAS 103(20)7835]. Additionally, the protein has been shown to sensitize lymphocytes to undergo apoptosis [Cuerro, et al. (2004) J. Exp. Med. 200(4)535] and enhance the proliferation and differentiation of CD8 T-cells [Curtsinger, et al. (2005) J. Immunol. 174(8) 4465]. Furthermore, it was used to determine that B10.Q/J mice are susceptible to infection due to a Tyk2 mutation [Shaw, et al.(2003) PNAS 100(20)11594]. Hardy, et al. [Genomics (2004) 84:331] recently suggested a name of IFN Alpha 3 based on sequence comparison of the Mouse IFN-Alpha subtype family of proteins.

For more information on Mouse IFN-Alpha subtype nomenclature click here.

52 Citations

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References: 

1. Daugherty et al. (1984) J. Interferon Res. 4(4) 635.
2. Delhaye et al.( 2006) PNAS 103(20)7835.
3. Cuerro et al. (2004) J. Exp. Med. 200(4)535.
4. Curtsinger et al. (2005) J. Immunol. 174(8) 4465.