Entrez Summary: This gene encodes a cytokine distantly related to type I interferons and the IL-10 family. This gene, interleukin 28A (IL28A), and interleukin 29 (IL29) are three closely related cytokine genes that form a cytokine gene cluster on a chromosomal region mapped to 19q13. Expression of the cytokines encoded by the three genes can be induced by viral infection. All three cytokines have been shown to interact with a heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor that consists of interleukin 10 receptor, beta (IL10RB) and interleukin 28 receptor, alpha (IL28RA). [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
UniProt Summary: Cytokine with antiviral, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities. Plays a critical role in the antiviral host defense, predominantly in the epithelial tissues. Acts as a ligand for the heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor composed of IL10RB and IFNLR1, and receptor engagement leads to the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway resulting in the expression of IFN- stimulated genes (ISG), which mediate the antiviral state. Has a restricted receptor distribution and therefore restricted targets: is primarily active in epithelial cells and this cell type- selective action is because of the epithelial cell-specific expression of its receptor IFNLR1. Seems not to be essential for early virus-activated host defense in vaginal infection, but plays an important role in Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced antiviral defense. Plays a significant role in the antiviral immune defense in the intestinal epithelium. Exerts an immunomodulatory effect by up-regulating MHC class I antigen expression. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:12469119, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12483210}.
Pfam DomainsGO Terms
Pfam Domains
No Pfam Domain information is available for this gene.
GO Terms
receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT
receptor signaling pathway via STAT
negative regulation of viral genome replication
negative regulation of viral life cycle
regulation of viral genome replication
negative regulation of viral process
regulation of viral life cycle
cytokine activity
defense response to virus
regulation of viral process
negative regulation of multi-organism process
regulation of symbiosis, encompassing mutualism through parasitism
response to virus
signaling receptor binding
cytokine-mediated signaling pathway
innate immune response
regulation of multi-organism process
positive regulation of immune response
defense response to other organism
cellular response to cytokine stimulus
immune effector process
response to cytokine
regulation of immune response
positive regulation of immune system process
response to other organism
response to external biotic stimulus
response to biotic stimulus
defense response
extracellular space
regulation of immune system process
immune response
extracellular region
CRISPR Data
Compound HitMost Correlated Genes in ChemogenomicsTissues where Essential in the Avana Dataset (DepMap 20Q1)
Compound Hit
No hits were found.
Most Correlated Genes in Chemogenomics
No correlation found to any other genes in chemogenomics.
Tissues where Essential in the Avana Dataset (DepMap 20Q1)
Global Fraction of Cell Lines Where Essential: 0/739