IFNAR1
Description
The IFNAR1 (interferon alpha and beta receptor subunit 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 21.
IFNAR1, the gene encoding interferon-alpha/beta receptor alpha chain, produces a type I membrane protein that forms one of the two chains of a receptor for type I interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and -lambda. Receptor activation by binding stimulates Janus protein kinases, which phosphorylate proteins like STAT1 and STAT2. This protein also acts as an antiviral factor. IFNAR1 interacts with PRMT1, STAT2, and Tyrosine kinase 2.
IFNAR1, along with IFNAR2, forms the heterodimeric receptor for type I interferons, including interferon alpha, beta, epsilon, omega, and kappa. The binding of type I interferons activates the JAK-STAT signaling cascade, which leads to the regulation of interferon-regulated genes, ultimately controlling the interferon response. This process involves bringing IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 subunits closer together, causing their associated Janus kinases (TYK2 bound to IFNAR1 and JAK1 bound to IFNAR2) to phosphorylate each other. This activation results in the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on the intracellular domains of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, creating docking sites for the STAT transcription factors. These STAT proteins are then phosphorylated by the JAKs, facilitating their translocation into the nucleus, where they regulate the expression of interferon-regulated genes. IFNAR1 can also act independently of IFNAR2, forming an active IFNB1 receptor and activating a signaling cascade that does not rely on the JAK-STAT pathway.
IFNAR1 is also known as AVP, IFN-alpha-REC, IFNAR, IFNBR, IFRC, IMD106.
