IRF2
IRF2 (interferon regulatory factor 2) is a nuclear transcription factor of the IRF family. It competitively inhibits IRF1-mediated activation of interferon alpha and beta genes, yet also acts as a transcriptional activator of histone H4. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IRF2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IRF2 is a transcription factor that regulates gene expression in both directions. According to the NCBI Gene summary, it competitively inhibits the IRF1-mediated transcriptional activation of interferons alpha and beta, and presumably of other genes that rely on IRF1 for activation. In this role IRF2 acts as a counterweight to IRF1 at shared regulatory targets. The same summary notes that IRF2 also functions as a transcriptional activator of histone H4, so its effect depends on the target gene rather than being purely repressive.
The IRF2 gene encodes interferon regulatory factor 2, a member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor family, which is also the HGNC gene group for this locus. UniProt classifies the protein as belonging to the IRF family and places it in the nucleus and on chromosomes, consistent with a role in binding DNA and controlling transcription. Researchers studying the IRF2 protein often compare it with other family members such as IRF1, IRF3, IRF4, IRF5, IRF6, IRF7, IRF8 and IRF9 to separate shared from distinct regulatory functions.
The UniProt function annotation also refers to the corepressors IRF2BP1 and IRF2BP2, describing a form of the protein that is unable to bind them and cannot mediate repression. This points to corepressor interaction as one route by which IRF2 can repress transcription. A mouse ortholog, Irf2, is recorded for the gene, which allows comparative work on IRF2 function in model systems.
IRF2 competitively inhibits IRF1-mediated activation of interferon alpha and beta, making it a key factor for studying how interferon transcription is restrained.
As a member of the IRF family, IRF2 is studied alongside other IRFs to define how related factors share or divide regulatory roles.
IRF2 functions as a transcriptional activator of histone H4, linking this factor to the control of histone gene expression.
UniProt notes IRF2BP1 and IRF2BP2 corepressors in relation to IRF2, so the protein is relevant to studies of how repression is mediated.
IRF2 is a transcription factor that competitively inhibits IRF1-mediated activation of interferon alpha and beta genes, and presumably other IRF1-dependent genes. It also functions as a transcriptional activator of histone H4, so it can either repress or activate depending on the target gene.
No aliases or previous symbols are listed for IRF2. The HGNC full name is interferon regulatory factor 2, and the protein belongs to the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, which also includes IRF1, IRF3, IRF4, IRF5, IRF6, IRF7, IRF8 and IRF9.
A mouse ortholog, Irf2, is recorded for the human gene, supporting comparative studies in mouse models. No rat ortholog is given in the data supplied here. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other interferon regulatory factors, including IRF1, the activator that IRF2 competitively inhibits.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P14316; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.