Identification of a novel gene family that includes the interferon-inducible human genes 6-16 and ISG12.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human 6-16 and ISG12 genes are transcriptionally upregulated in a variety of cell types in response to type I interferon (IFN). The predicted products of these genes are small (12.9 and 11.5 kDa respectively), hydrophobic proteins that share 36% overall amino acid identity. Gene disruption and over-expression studies have so far failed to reveal any biochemical or cellular roles for these proteins.

Results

We have used in silico analyses to identify a novel family of genes (the ISG12 gene family) related to both the human 6-16 and ISG12 genes. Each ISG12 family member codes for a small hydrophobic protein containing a conserved ~80 amino-acid motif (the ISG12 motif). So far we have detected 46 family members in 25 organisms, ranging from unicellular eukaryotes

SUBMITTER: Parker N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC343271 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature