Interferon alfa

Interferon alfa, a type I interferon, activates new genes, displaying strong antiviral and antiproliferative effects on target cells. It signals through receptor-mediated activation of Stat1 and Stat2, which heterodimerize into a STAT complex binding with the DNA-binding protein IRF-9 (p48) to form ISGF-3 (IFN-stimulated gene factor 3) . This complex further activates driver genes to fulfill its antiviral role [1].