IFN-kappa Proteins and Enzymes

Interferon kappa (IFN-κ) is a 24 kDa secreted, nonglycosylated polypeptide that belongs to the IFN-κ subclass of the type I interferon family of cytokines. It is expressed by macrophages in mice, and monocytes, dendritic cells and keratinocytes in human. IFN-κ induces TNF-α, IL-10 and MCP-1 production by monocytes. Mouse IFN-κ precursor is 199 amino acids (aa) in length. It contains a 21 aa signal sequence, plus a 178 aa mature region. There are two intrachain disulfide bonds plus a fifth unpaired cysteine. Mature mouse IFN-κ (aa 22 - 199) shares 68% and 30% aa identity with rat and human IFN-κ, respectively.