ILF3
Description
The ILF3 (interleukin enhancer binding factor 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ILF3 gene.
== Function == Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is a transcription factor required for T-cell expression of interleukin 2. NFAT binds to a sequence in the IL2 enhancer known as the antigen receptor response element 2. In addition, NFAT can bind RNA and is an essential component for encapsidation and protein priming of hepatitis B viral polymerase. NFAT is a heterodimer of 45 kDa and 90 kDa proteins, the larger of which is the product of this gene. The encoded protein, which is primarily localized to ribosomes, probably regulates transcription at the level of mRNA elongation. At least three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene.
== Interactions == ILF3 has been shown to interact with:
Small NF90/ILF3-associated RNAs (snaR) (~120 nucleotides long) and are known to interact with ILF3 double-stranded RNA-binding motifs. snaR-A is abundant in human testis and has been shown to associate with ribosomes in HeLa cells. snaR-A is present in human and gorilla but not in chimpanzee.
ILF3, also known as Double-stranded RNA-binding protein 76, is a RNA-binding protein that plays a crucial role in the production of circular RNAs (circRNAs). CircRNAs are formed through a process called back-splicing, where pre-mRNA is circularized. ILF3 promotes circRNA processing within the nucleus by stabilizing regulatory elements located in the flanking introns of the circularized exons, thereby contributing to the back-splicing of a specific set of circRNAs. This involvement in circRNA biogenesis suggests ILF3 participates in a wide array of transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. ILF3 binds to poly-U elements and AU-rich elements (AREs) found in the 3'-UTR of target mRNAs. During viral infections, ILF3 accumulates in the cytoplasm and engages in the innate antiviral response. This occurs through phosphorylation and activation of ILF3 by the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase/PKR. This activation releases ILF3 from cellular mature circRNAs, allowing unbound ILF3 molecules to interact with and inhibit viral mRNAs.
ILF3 is also known as CBTF, DRBF, DRBP76, MMP4, MPHOSPH4, MPP4, MPP4110, NF-AT-90, NF110, NF110b, NF90, NF90a, NF90b, NF90c, NF90ctv, NFAR, NFAR-1, NFAR-2, NFAR110, NFAR2, NFAR90, TCP110, TCP80.
