Abstract
Type III interferon (IFN) or IFN-lambda is a novel family of class II cytokines that induces antiviral activities both in vitro and in vivo through its own distinctive receptor complex. The recent crystal structure of human IFN-lambda3 revealed a cytokine with structural similarity to the interleukin-10 family, despite functionally being an IFN. Here, we review the structure of IFN-lambda and its relation to the other members of the class II cytokines. Further, we analyze the structural differences between the tree human isoforms of IFN-lambda and relate this to the observed differences in potency.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Crystallization
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Humans
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Interferons
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Interleukin-10 / chemistry
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Interleukin-10 / immunology
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Interleukin-10 / metabolism
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Interleukins / chemistry
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Interleukins / immunology
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Interleukins / metabolism*
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Molecular Conformation
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Protein Isoforms / chemistry
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Protein Isoforms / immunology
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Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
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Receptors, Cytokine / immunology
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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Structural Homology, Protein*
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Structure-Activity Relationship
Substances
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interferon-lambda, human
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Interleukins
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Protein Isoforms
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Receptors, Cytokine
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Interleukin-10
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Interferons