IRF5 : interferon regulatory factor 5

Description

The IRF5 (interferon regulatory factor 5) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7.

The protein produced from the IRF5 gene, called interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), acts as a transcription factor, which means that it attaches (binds) to specific regions of DNA and helps control the activity of certain genes. When a virus is recognized in the cell, the IRF5 gene is turned on (activated), which leads to the production of IRF5 protein. The protein binds to specific regions of DNA that regulate the activity of genes that produce interferons and other cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that help fight infection by promoting inflammation and regulating the activity of immune system cells. In particular, interferons control the activity of genes that help block the replication of viruses, and they stimulate the activity of certain immune system cells known as natural killer cells.

IRF5 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in innate immunity by activating the expression of type I interferon (IFN) IFNA and INFB, as well as inflammatory cytokines. This activation occurs downstream of the endolysosomal toll-like receptors TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. IRF5 regulates the transcription of type I IFN genes (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) by binding to an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in their promoters. IRF5 can efficiently activate both the IFN-beta (IFNB) and the IFN-alpha (IFNA) genes and mediate their induction downstream of the TLR-activated, MyD88-dependent pathway. IRF5 is a key transcription factor regulating the IFN response during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

IRF5 is also known as SLEB10.

Associated Diseases

WES Whole Exome Sequencing

Clinical Exome Sequencing