Description: IFN-gamma, also called Type II interferon, is a homodimeric glycoprotein containing approximately 21 to 24 kD subunits. The human IFN-gamma gene, situated on chromosome 12, contains three introns; the four exons code for a polypeptide of 166 amino acids, 20 of which constitute the signal peptide. In contrast to IFN-aalpha and IFN-beta synthesis, which can occur in any cell, production of IFN-gamma is a function of T cells and NK cells.
IFN-gamma has antiviral and antiparasitic activities and also inhibits the proliferation of a number of normal and transformed cells. IFN-gamma synergises with TNF-alpha and TNF-beta in inhibiting the proliferation of various cell types.
