The interferon beta (IFN-β) enhanceosome is a protein complex that forms on the promoter region of the IFN-β gene in response to viral infection or other immune stimuli. This enhanceosome plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of the IFN-β gene, which is a key component of the innate immune response against viral infections.
The IFN-β enhanceosome consists of multiple transcription factors and coactivators that bind cooperatively to specific DNA sequences in the promoter region of the IFN-β gene. These transcription factors include:
- Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF3): IRF3 is a transcription factor that is activated in response to viral infection. Upon activation, IRF3 translocates to the nucleus where it binds to specific DNA sequences known as interferon-stimulated response elements (ISREs) in the IFN-β promoter.
- Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB): NF-κB is another transcription factor that is activated by various immune stimuli, including viral infection. It forms a complex with other proteins, such as RelA/p65 and p50, and binds to specific DNA sequences in the IFN-β promoter region.
- ATF-2/c-Jun: ATF-2 (Activating Transcription Factor 2) and c-Jun are components of the AP-1 transcription factor complex. They bind to the IFN-β promoter region and participate in the formation of the enhanceosome.
- CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300: CBP and p300 are coactivators that interact with other transcription factors bound to the IFN-β promoter, helping to stabilize the enhanceosome and enhance transcriptional activation.
These transcription factors and coactivators work together to form a stable enhanceosome complex on the IFN-β promoter, leading to the activation of IFN-β gene expression and subsequent induction of the antiviral immune response.
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Source: ChatGPT response prompted and edited by Joel Graff.
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