Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) encode a large family of multifonctional secreted proteins that are involved in antiviral defense, the regulation of cell growth and modulation of the immune response. They are subdivided into two types that activate transduction pathways via different cell surface receptors. Binding of both IFN type I and II results in the differential activation of JAK (Janus kinases) that phosphorylate latent cytoplasmic transcription factors termed STATs (signal transducer and activator of transcription). Phosphorylated STATs translocate to the nucleus, bind specific DNA elements and direct transcription. Type I IFN induces the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 proteins by tyrosine phosphorylation involving the type I IFN receptor-associated tyrosine kinases TYK2 and JAK1. Following phosphorylation, STAT1 and STAT2 form the transcriptionally active IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) by association with a protein of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family, p48. The specificity of the transcriptional activation by ISGF3 is mediated by specific elements termed IFN-stimulatory response element (ISRE) located in the promoter region of IFN-inducible genes. ISREs drive the expression of most IFN type I-regulated genes and a few IFN type II-regulated genes. Gene induction by type II IFN involves the phosphorylation of only STAT1 by JAK1 and Jak2 kinases. This phosphorylation generates a homodimer of STAT1 which is able to bind the IFNgamma-activated site (GAS) to activate transcription. This signaling is rapid and direct. Molecules involved in the IFN signaling pathways have been shown to be used by other polypeptide ligands in their own signal transduction pathways. Pathways other than JAK/STAT are also involved in IFN signaling, but their mechanisms are less clear. The best documented are the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, the components of the TCR (T cell receptor) signaling cascade and the Pi3 kinase pathway.