IFIT proteins
IFIT proteins (Interferon Induced proteins with Tetratricopeptide repeats) are produced in human body that are supposed to confer immunity against viral infection. These proteins are generally produced during viral infection, Interferon (IFN) treatment, and during pathogen recognition (Pathogen associated molecular pattern recognition) by immune system during infections.[1] So far, four families of this protein have been identified in humans which are IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3 and IFIT5. Birds, Marsupials, Frogs and Fishes have been found to produce only IFIT5 type proteins. These proteins differ from each other in having different number of tetratricopeptide repeats(TPRs). The IFIT1 is known to possess 6 TPRs and IFIT2 has 4 TPRs. The IFIT proteins that are produced in humans and mouse are 40%-45% similar. It is thought that the Gene encoding IFIT protein in different species has a common ancestry.
References
- ^ Diamond, Michael S. (14 December 2012). "The broad-spectrum antiviral functions of IFIT and IFITM proteins". Nature Reviews Immunology. 13 (1): 46–57. doi:10.1038/nri3344.
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