IRG1
IRG1: The Immune Regulator with Diverse Roles in Health and Disease
Description:
IRG1 (Immunity-Related GTPase 1) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the innate immune response. It is expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells, which are immune cells that detect and destroy pathogens. IRG1 belongs to the dynamin superfamily of GTPases and functions by hydrolyzing GTP to GDP, a process that regulates various cellular processes.
Associated Diseases:
Dysregulation of IRG1 has been linked to several diseases, including:
- Leishmaniasis: IRG1 mutations are associated with an increased susceptibility to leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that can cause serious skin lesions.
- Malaria: IRG1 has been shown to play a role in protecting against malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that can lead to severe anemia and organ failure.
- Tuberculosis: IRG1 helps control the infection of macrophages by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
- Autoimmune diseases: Aberrant IRG1 expression has also been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Did you Know ?
A study conducted in 2021 found that people with a specific genetic variant in the IRG1 gene had a 50% reduced risk of developing severe malaria. This highlights the importance of IRG1 in protecting against infectious diseases.
