The Database of IFN Regulated Genes
This database is an upgrade of the original database and contains type I, II and III interferon
(IFN)
regulated genes, manually curated from publicly available microarray datasets.
Introduction
IFNs were identified as antiviral proteins more than 50 years ago and since then have been shown to
regulate cell proliferation, survival, migration and specialised functions. Consequently they are
involved in numerous homeostatic and pathological processes including infections, cancer,
autoimmunity, inflammation and metabolic disorders. These cytokines are also used as therapeutics in
diseases such as chronic viral infections, cancer and multiple sclerosis. IFNs potentially regulate
the transcription of up to 2000 genes in an IFN subtype, dose, cell type and stimulus dependent
manner. This database of IFN regulated genes is an attempt at integrating information from
high-throughput experiments to gain a detailed understanding of the various IFN activated pathways
that regulate subsets of genes to enhance our understanding of pathophysiological processes.
Definitions
Interferon Regulated Genes (IRGs) were identified from experiments where cells or organisms were
treated with an IFN. Genes that were significantly up or down regulated relative to control samples
were defined as IRGs, annotated and uploaded into the database. We have set a default limit of
2-fold change in expression for searches because this is a commonly accepted parameter; although the
option remains to change this when implementing a search.
Database Scope
This database will enable the reliable identification of an individual IRG or IRG signatures from
high-throughput data sets (i.e. microarray, proteomic data etc.). It will also assist in identifying
regulatory elements, chromosomal location and tissue expression of IRGs in human and mouse. This
upgraded version, Interferome v2.0 has quantitative data, more detailed annotation and search
capabilities and can be queried for one gene or thousands as in a gene list from a microarray
experiment.