Interferon Omega (IFNw)

IFN-omega is a natural component of human leukocyte interferon. This type 1 interferon protein is called also IFN-alpha II1. It displays a high degree of homology with various IFN-alpha species including positions of the cysteine residues involved in disulfide bonds. However, sequence divergence allows classification as a unique protein family. A related protein is bovine trophoblast protein TP-1.

IFN-omega binds to the same receptors as IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. To date the exact biological activities and the physiological role of this interferon are unknown. The protein has been shown to possess antitumor effects for human tumor xenografts in nude mice.