Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4, Lymphocyte-specific interferon regulatory factor, NF-EM5, Multiple myeloma oncogene 1)

Antibodies / Antibodies-Transcription Factors

-20°C

Supplied as a liquid in 10mM sodium HEPES, pH 7.5, 150mM sodium chloride, 100ug/ml BSA, 50% glycerol.

Synthetic peptide (KLH-coupled) corresponding to residues around Pro173 of human IRF-4.

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) comprise a family of transcription factors that function within the Jak/Stat pathway to regulate interferon (IFN) and IFN-inducible gene expression in response to viral infection (1). IRFs play an important role in pathogen defense, autoimmunity, lymphocyte development, cell growth, and susceptibility to transformation. The IRF family includes nine members: IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-9/ISGF3gamma, IRF-3, IRF-4 (Pip/LSIRF/ICSAT), IRF-5, IRF-6, IRF-7, and IRF-8/ICSBP. All IRF proteins share homology in their amino-terminal DNA-binding domains. IRF family members regulate transcription through interactions with proteins that share similar DNA-binding motifs, such as IFN-stimulated response elements (ISRE), IFN consensus sequences (ICS), and IFN regulatory elements (IRF-E) (2).

IRF-4 was independently cloned by three groups and demonstrated to have roles in different contexts of lymphoid regulation (3-5). First, IRF-4 (Pip) was found to associate with PU.1, a member of the ETS family specific to hematopoietic cells, and to regulate the expression of B cell-specific genes (3). Second, it was characterized as a lymphoid-specific member of the IRF family (LSIRF) and able to bind to ISRE (4). Third, it was identified in activated T cells as a factor that binds to the promoter of the interleukin-5 gene (ICSAT), and shown to repress gene activation induced by IFN (5). IRF-4 is expressed in all stages of B cell development and in mature T cells, and is inducible in primary lymphocytes by antigen mimetic stimuli such as Concavalin A, CD3 crosslinking, anti-IgM and PMA treatment (4, 5). Mice deficient in IRF-4 show normal distribution of B and T lymphocytes at 4 to 5 weeks, but later develop progressive generalized lymphadenopathy, suggesting a role for IRF-4 in the function and homeostasis of mature B and T lymphocytes (6).

Applications:
Suitable for use in Western Blot. Other applications not tested.

Recommended Dilution:
Western Blot: 1:1000
Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.

Storage and Stability:
May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. For long-term storage, aliquot and store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.