The protein encoded by this gene is a transcriptional regulator and tumor suppressor, serving as an activator of genes involved in both innate and acquired immune responses. The encoded protein activates the transcription of genes involved in the body's response to viruses and bacteria, playing a role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, the immune response, and DNA damage response. This protein represses the transcription of several other genes. As a tumor suppressor, it both suppresses tumor cell growth and stimulates an immune response against tumor cells. Defects in this gene have been associated with gastric cancer, myelogenous leukemia, and lung cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2017]
Forensic Context
A single-cell transcriptomic analysis in a rat model of radiation-induced lung injury identified the IRF1 as an orthologous rat gene associated with inflammatory processes [Shi et al. DOI:10.17305/bb.2024.10357]. A study in humans identified the IRF1 as a key hub protein from a protein-protein interaction network, where it has a unique function in controlling stress-induced cardiomyopathy and regulates genes associated with fibrosis and inflammation [Rahman et al. DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-78011-3].