Interferon regulatory factors
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Interferon regulatory factors (IRF) are proteins which regulate transcription of interferons (see regulation of gene expression).[1] Interferon regulatory factors contain a conserved N-terminal region of about 120 amino acids, which folds into a structure that binds specifically to the IRF-element (IRF-E) motifs, which is located upstream of the interferon genes.[2] Some viruses have evolved defense mechanisms that regulate and interfere with IRF functions to escape the host immune system.[3] For instance, the remaining parts of the interferon regulatory factor sequence vary depending on the precise function of the protein.[2] The Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus, KSHV,[4] is a cancer virus that encodes four different IRF-like genes;[5] including vIRF1,[6] which is a transforming oncoprotein that inhibits type 1 interferon activity.[7] In addition, the expression of IRF genes is under epigenetic regulation by promoter DNA methylation.[8]