IFN alpha 2a

Proteins of this family play an important role in inducing non‐specific resistance against a broad range of viral infections. They also affect cell proliferation and modulate immune responses. Produced by peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphoblastoid cells, IFNα is an acid stable molecule that signals through IFNα/βR, which is also used by IFN‐β. Both IFNs have similar anti‐viral activity and regulate expression of MHC class I antigens. IFN‐α contains four highly conserved cysteine residues which form two disulfide bonds, one of which is necessary for biological activity. Recombinant Human IFN‐α (2a) is a 19.3 kDa protein containing 166 amino acid residues.