IRF7 Gene

The IRF7 gene (IRF7 stands for "Interferon Regulatory Factor 7") is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11p15.5.

The IRF7 gene encodes interferon regulatory factor 7, a member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family. It has been shown to play a role in transcriptional activation of virus-inducible cellular genes, including interferon beta chain genes. Inducible expression of IRF7 is largely restricted to lymphoid tissues.

The encoded protein plays an important role in the innate immune response against DNA and RNA viruses. It is an important transcriptional regulator of type I interferon (IFN)-dependent immune responses and plays a critical role in the innate immune response against DNA and RNA viruses. Furthermore, interferon regulatory factor 7 encoded by thisGEn regulates the transcription of type I IFN genes (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) by binding to an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in their promoters. It can efficiently activate both IFN-beta (IFNB) and IFN-alpha (IFNA) genes and mediate their induction via both the virus-activated, MyD88-independent pathway and the TLR-activated, MyD88-dependent pathway.

The protein is required in both the early and late phases of IFN gene induction. It exists in an inactive form in the cytoplasm of uninfected cells and is phosphorylated by the kinases IKBKE and TBK1 following viral infection, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. This results in a conformational change leading to its dimerization and nuclear localization, where it can activate transcription of type I IFN and ISG genes together with other coactivators. May activate various gene expression programs in macrophages and regulate the anti-tumor properties of primary macrophages.

Diseases associated with IRF7 include:

• Autosomal recessive inherited immunodeficiency 39 (OMIM: 616345) and predisposition to severe viral infections due to IRF7 protein deficiency.

1. Ciancanelli MJ et al (2015) Life-threatening influenza and impaired interferon amplification in human IRF7 deficiency. Science 348: 448-453.
2. Honda K et al (2005) IRF-7 is the master regulator of type-I interferon-dependent immune responses. Nature 434: 772-777.