Characterization of Two New IFN-Induced Proteins

Abstract

The interferons (IFNs) cause a number of different biological responses in cells. The two responses that have been studied the most are the antiviral state and the inhibition of cell growth, but their molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. The IFNs induce a number of new proteins in cells, however the biological roles of most of these proteins remain unknown. A number of laboratories are characterizing these IFN-induced proteins either by purification of the protein itself or by recombinant DNA cloning of the mRNA and subsequent deduction of the amino acid sequence from the cloned DNA sequence. In this report we described the cloning and amino acid sequence characterization of an IFN-induced 15 kDa cytoplasmic protein. We also present the cellular location of an IFN-induced 20 kDa membrane protein whose induction correlates with the inhibition of cell growth.