Harada H, Taniguchi T, Tanaka N
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Biochimie. 1998 Aug-Sep;80(8-9):641-50. doi: 10.1016/s0300-9084(99)80017-0.
Complex cellular responses are often coordinated by a genetic regulatory network in which a given transcription factor controls the expression of a diverse set of target genes. Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-2 have originally been identified as a transcriptional activator and repressor, respectively, of the interferon-beta (IFN-beta) as well as of IFN-inducible genes. However, these factors have since been shown to modulate not only the cellular response to IFNs, but also cell growth, susceptibility to transformation by oncogenes, induction of apoptosis, and development of the T cell immune response. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that deletion and/or inactivation of the IRF-1 gene may be a critical step in the development of some human hematopoietic neoplasms. Subsequently, these factors have been shown to constitute a family of transcription factors, termed the IRF-family. Recent studies indicate that other IRF family members also involve the regulation of the IFN system and cell transformation. The IRF-family may be examples of transcription factors which can selectively modulate several sets of genes depending on the cell type and/or nature of the cellular stimuli, so as to evoke host defense mechanisms against infection and oncogenesis.
复杂的细胞反应通常由遗传调控网络协调，在该网络中，特定的转录因子控制着多种靶基因的表达。干扰素调节因子（IRF）-1和IRF-2最初分别被鉴定为干扰素-β（IFN-β）以及IFN诱导基因的转录激活因子和转录抑制因子。然而，后来发现这些因子不仅能调节细胞对IFN的反应，还能调节细胞生长、对癌基因转化的敏感性、凋亡诱导以及T细胞免疫反应的发育。此外，有证据表明IRF-1基因的缺失和/或失活可能是某些人类造血肿瘤发生发展的关键步骤。随后，这些因子被证明构成了一个转录因子家族，称为IRF家族。最近的研究表明，其他IRF家族成员也参与IFN系统的调节和细胞转化。IRF家族可能是这样的转录因子的例子，它们可以根据细胞类型和/或细胞刺激的性质选择性地调节几组基因，从而引发宿主针对感染和肿瘤发生的防御机制。
