IRF4
Description
The IRF4 (interferon regulatory factor 4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 6.
IRF4 is a protein encoded by the IRF4 gene in humans and is a key regulator of immune cell development. It is essential for the differentiation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and certain myeloid cells. IRF4 is a transcription factor belonging to the Interferon Regulatory Factor (IRF) family, but its expression is not initiated by interferons. Instead, it is stimulated by various bioactive stimuli, including antigen receptor engagement, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-4, and CD40. IRF4 can act as both an activating and an inhibitory transcription factor, depending on its interacting cofactors. It frequently cooperates with B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (BCL6) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATs). IRF4 expression is restricted to immune system cells, particularly T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. IRF4's dysregulation can lead to its functioning as either an oncogene or a tumor-suppressor, depending on the specific context of the modification.
IRF4 is a transcriptional activator that binds to the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) of the MHC class I promoter and the immunoglobulin lambda light chain enhancer, together with PU.1. It likely plays a role in ISRE-targeted signal transduction mechanisms specific to lymphoid cells. IRF4 is involved in CD8(+) dendritic cell differentiation by forming a complex with the BATF-JUNB heterodimer in immune cells, leading to recognition of the AICE sequence (5'-TGAnTCA/GAAA-3'), an immune-specific regulatory element. This binding is followed by cooperative binding of BATF and IRF4 and activation of genes.
IRF4 is also known as LSIRF, MUM1, NF-EM5, SHEP8.
