IRF7

gene
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Summary

IRF7 (interferon regulatory factor 7, HGNC:6122) is a protein-coding gene on chromosome 11p15.5, encoding Interferon regulatory factor 7 (Q92985). Key transcriptional regulator of type I interferon (IFN)-dependent immune responses and plays a critical role in the innate immune response against DNA and RNA viruses.

This gene encodes interferon regulatory factor 7, a member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family. It has been shown to play a role in the transcriptional activation of virus-inducible cellular genes, including interferon beta chain genes. Inducible expression of IRF7 is largely restricted to lymphoid tissue. The encoded protein plays an important role in the innate immune response against DNA and RNA viruses.

Source: NCBI Gene 3665 — RefSeq curated summary.

At a glance

  • Gene–disease (curated): immunodeficiency 39 (Strong, GenCC)
  • GWAS associations: 7
  • Clinical variants (ClinVar): 786 total
  • Phenotypes (HPO): 4
  • Transcription factor: yes — 37 downstream targets (CollecTRI)
  • MANE Select transcript: NM_001572

Identifiers

Gene identifiers

FieldValue
HGNC IDHGNC:6122
Approved symbolIRF7
Nameinterferon regulatory factor 7
Location11p15.5
Locus typegene with protein product
StatusApproved
Ensembl geneENSG00000185507
Ensembl biotypeprotein_coding
OMIM605047
Entrez3665

Gene structure

Transcript identifiers

Ensembl transcripts: 26 — 16 protein_coding, 5 retained_intron, 4 nonsense_mediated_decay, 1 protein_coding_CDS_not_defined

ENST00000330243, ENST00000348655, ENST00000397566, ENST00000397570, ENST00000469048, ENST00000525445, ENST00000525750, ENST00000527160, ENST00000528413, ENST00000531912, ENST00000532096, ENST00000532326, ENST00000532788, ENST00000533182, ENST00000533190, ENST00000647801, ENST00000649187, ENST00000858980, ENST00000858981, ENST00000858982, ENST00000858983, ENST00000935320, ENST00000971586, ENST00000971587, ENST00000971588, ENST00000971589

RefSeq mRNA: 3 — MANE Select: NM_001572 NM_001572, NM_004029, NM_004031

CCDS: CCDS7703, CCDS7704, CCDS7705

Canonical transcript exons

ENST00000525445 — 11 exons

ExonStartEnd
ENSE00001300929614174614399
ENSE00001699417612555612800
ENSE00002157180615913615950
ENSE00003493087613951614037
ENSE00003525166615097615259
ENSE00003550384615345615647
ENSE00003560526613206613595
ENSE00003602612612999613117
ENSE00003614481614797615007
ENSE00003615581614476614534
ENSE00003617760613785613865

Expression profiles

Bgee: expression breadth ubiquitous, 134 present calls, max score 97.86.

FANTOM5 (CAGE): breadth ubiquitous, TPM avg 33.5129 / max 7948.5529, expressed in 1748 samples.

FANTOM5 promoters (4 alternative TSS)

Promoter IDTPM avgSamples expressed
11778430.52661739
1177832.9101828
1177810.055618
1177820.02066

Top tissues by expression

134 total, by Bgee expression score (0-100, higher = more expressed):

TissueAnatomy IDExpression scoreQuality
granulocyteCL:000009497.86gold quality
bloodUBERON:000017896.91gold quality
right lobe of liverUBERON:000111495.46gold quality
spleenUBERON:000210695.40gold quality
monocyteCL:000057694.28gold quality
leukocyteCL:000073894.15gold quality
lower esophagus mucosaUBERON:003583493.76gold quality
mucosa of transverse colonUBERON:000499193.52gold quality
apex of heartUBERON:000209892.97gold quality
lymph nodeUBERON:000002991.66gold quality
bone marrowUBERON:000237191.33gold quality
liverUBERON:000210791.23gold quality
bone marrow cellCL:000209291.17gold quality
sural nerveUBERON:001548890.79gold quality
vermiform appendixUBERON:000115490.78gold quality
left lobe of thyroid glandUBERON:000112090.62gold quality
small intestine Peyer’s patchUBERON:000345490.58gold quality
duodenumUBERON:000211490.40gold quality
small intestineUBERON:000210890.14gold quality
right lobe of thyroid glandUBERON:000111990.07gold quality
thyroid glandUBERON:000204689.82gold quality
upper lobe of left lungUBERON:000895289.78gold quality
omental fat padUBERON:001041489.35gold quality
adenohypophysisUBERON:000219689.34gold quality
right lungUBERON:000216789.10gold quality
pituitary glandUBERON:000000789.07gold quality
body of stomachUBERON:000116188.35gold quality
prostate glandUBERON:000236788.05gold quality
metanephros cortexUBERON:001053387.96gold quality
saliva-secreting glandUBERON:000104487.64gold quality

Single-cell (SCXA)

Detected in 22 experiment(s), a significant marker in 22.

ExperimentMarker?Max mean expression
E-CURD-126yes1425.87
E-MTAB-10432yes774.69
E-MTAB-6701yes752.99
E-MTAB-8410yes712.76
E-MTAB-9906yes706.11
E-ANND-5yes593.98
E-HCAD-1yes539.95
E-HCAD-6yes394.00
E-GEOD-130148yes388.76
E-HCAD-4yes73.83
E-HCAD-13yes21.78
E-CURD-112yes19.06
E-MTAB-9467yes17.83
E-MTAB-9067yes16.98
E-MTAB-8142yes16.48

Regulation

Is transcription factor: yes

Downstream targets (CollecTRI)

37 targets.

TargetRegulation
ATF4Activation
CCL19Activation
CCL2Activation
CCL3Activation
CCL5Unknown
CD80Activation
CXCL10Activation
CYSLTR2Activation
FOXP3Unknown
IFN1@
IFNA1Activation
IFNA10Activation
IFNA13Activation
IFNA14Activation
IFNA16Activation
IFNA17Activation
IFNA2Activation
IFNA4Activation
IFNA5Activation
IFNA7Activation
IFNA8Activation
IFNB1Activation
IFNL1Unknown
IFNL2Unknown
IFNL3Unknown
IL12AActivation
IL12BRepression
IL27Activation
IL33Unknown
IRF3Activation

JASPAR motifs

MotifNameFamily
MA0772.1IRF7Interferon-regulatory factors
MA0772.2IRF7Interferon-regulatory factors

JASPAR matrix evidence (PMIDs): PMID:10938111

Upstream regulators (CollecTRI, top): ATF4, BRCA1, CREB1, DDIT3, FOXO3, IRF3, IRF9, KAT2B, NFKB1, PITX1, PTPN22, RELA, SPIB, STAT1, STAT2, TNFAIP3, YY1

Literature-anchored findings (GeneRIF, showing 40)

  • The structure and function of IRF7 are reviewed (PMID:11846980)
  • Stimulation of IRF-7 gene expression by tumor necrosis factor alpha: requirement for NFkappa B transcription factor and gene accessibility (PMID:11877397)
  • Preferential binding sites for interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7 involved in interferon-A gene transcription (PMID:11884139)
  • acetylation of lysine 92 negatively modulates IRF7 DNA binding (PMID:12374802)
  • Interferon regulatory factor-7 synergizes with other transcription factors through multiple interactions with p300/CBP coactivators. (PMID:12604599)
  • Interferon regulatory factor 7 regulates expression of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1: a regulatory circuit. (PMID:12915551)
  • LPS-TLR4 signaling to IRF-3/7 and NF-kappaB involves the toll adapters TRAM and TRIF. (PMID:14517278)
  • herpes simplex virus ICP0 blocks interferon regulatory factor IRF7-mediated activation of interferon-stimulated genes; the RING finger domain of ICP0 is essential for this activity (PMID:14747533)
  • LPS & HSV upregulate IRF-7 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. This depends on NF-kappa B activation. Nuclear translocation of IRF-7 occurs rapidly in response to HSV. Activation of IRF-7 contributes to IFN-alpha production in virus-stimulated PDC. (PMID:15265881)
  • IRF-5-and IRF-7-induced innate antiviral response results in a broad alteration of the transcriptional profile of cellular genes (PMID:15308637)
  • TLR-mediated IFN-alpha induction requires the formation of a complex consisting of MyD88, TRAF6 and IRF7 as well as TRAF6-dependent ubiquitination. (PMID:15361868)
  • there are two distinct mechanisms for the activation of the IRF7 promoter, by IFN and by virus infection (PMID:15664995)
  • IRF5 and IRF7 are critical mediators of TLR7 signaling (PMID:15695821)
  • LPS-induced B7.1 transcription in human monocytic cells may be regulated by JNK-mediated activation of the IRF-7 transcription factor. (PMID:16237059)
  • IRF7 and LMP1 interact with each other, and this may relate to the mechanism whereby LMP1 exerts functional effects in B-lymphocytes (PMID:16778376)
  • Transduction of active forms of IRF-3 or IRF-7 differentially modulate the apoptotic and antitumor properties of primary macrophages. (PMID:17079482)
  • We show that BRCA1, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1, and STAT2 are all required for the induction of IRF-7 following stimulation with IFN-gamma. (PMID:17374731)
  • expression patterns of IRF3 & IRF7 in normal lymph nodes, reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes & pediatric lymphomas; the number of IRF7-positive cells was found to be elevated in the reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes and pediatric lymphoma (PMID:17393359)
  • In addition to its defined role in type I interferon stimulation, IRF-7 plays a key role in modulating adaptive immune responses by inducing low molecular mass polypeptide-2 (LMP-2) expression, either directly or through induction of IRF-1. (PMID:17404045)
  • Results report a novel immune evasion mechanism of KSHV vIRF3 to block cellular IRF7-mediated innate immunity in response to viral infection. (PMID:17522209)
  • PI3K selectively controls type I IFN production by regulating IRF-7 nuclear translocation in human pDCs (PMID:18227218)
  • Our analyses showed a prominent effect of the IRF-7 nonsynonymous SNPs on the risk of developing cirrhosis. (PMID:18397234)
  • epigenetic inactivation of the IFN pathway plays a critical role in cellular immortalization, and the reactivation of IFN-regulated genes by transcription factors IRF5 and/or IRF7 is sufficient to induce cellular senescence (PMID:18505922)
  • SUMO modification and RIG-I activation are an integral part of IRF3 and IRF7 activity that contributes to postactivation attenuation of IFN production (PMID:18635538)
  • TRAF6 and its E3 ligase activity are required for LMP1-stimulated IRF7 ubiquitination. (PMID:18710948)
  • This screening demonstrates that LF2 specifically interacts with the central inhibitory association domain of IRF7, and this interaction leads to inhibition of the dimerization of IRF7, which suppresses IFN-alpha production and IFN-mediated immunity. (PMID:18987133)
  • efficient IRF7 activation required association with LMP1 CTAR2 in proximity to LMP1 CTAR2 mediated kinase activation sites (PMID:19017798)
  • Altogether, these data further highlight the respective functions of IRF-3 and IRF-7 to program apoptotic, immune and anti-tumor responses. (PMID:19152337)
  • transient binding of both IRF-3 and IRF-7, accompanied by CBP/p300 recruitment to the endogenous IFN-A gene promoters, is associated with transcriptional activation (PMID:19349300)
  • IRF-1, IRF-7, type I IFNs, and STAT1 form a signaling feedback loop that is critical in regulating TRAIL expression in HIV-1-infected macrophages. (PMID:19404407)
  • mRNA levels of primary Sjogren Syndrome patients were not up-regulated (PMID:19426920)
  • Herpes simplex type 1 infection triggered an IRF-3 and IRF-7-dependent antiviral response. (PMID:19515829)
  • In contrast, although expression of IRF-7 was higher in Gr II than in the other groups, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). (PMID:19858727)
  • Smokers after infection with influenza is associated with reduced expression of IRF7 in nasal epithelial cells. (PMID:19880818)
  • IRF7/PHRF1 variants in combination with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated autoantibodies result in higher serum levels of IFNalpha (PMID:20112359)
  • IRF7 is activated upon Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and is crucial for type I interferon-beta expression (PMID:20154210)
  • interferon regulatory factor 7C has dual roles in Epstein-Barr virus-mediated lymphocyte transformation (PMID:20209099)
  • The authors show that BRLF1 expression decreased induction of IFN-beta, and reduced expression of IRF3 and IRF7. (PMID:20381110)
  • A20 negatively regulates LMP1-stimulated IRF7 ubiquitination and activity in EBV latency. (PMID:20392859)
  • IRF3 rather than IRF7 regulates poly (I-C)-induced type I IFN responses in human synoviocytes (PMID:20483755)

Cross-species orthologs

3 orthologs

OrganismSymbolGene ID
danio_rerioirf7ENSDARG00000045661
mus_musculusIrf7ENSMUSG00000025498
rattus_norvegicusIrf7ENSRNOG00000017414

Paralogs (8): IRF6 (ENSG00000117595), IRF1 (ENSG00000125347), IRF3 (ENSG00000126456), IRF5 (ENSG00000128604), IRF4 (ENSG00000137265), IRF8 (ENSG00000140968), IRF2 (ENSG00000168310), IRF9 (ENSG00000213928)

Protein

Protein identifiers

Interferon regulatory factor 7Q92985 (reviewed: Q92985)

All UniProt accessions (6): A0A3B3ISC0, A0A3B3ISS4, A0A3B3ITQ5, E9PIA7, Q92985, M9RSF4

UniProt curated annotations — full annotation on UniProt →

Function. Key transcriptional regulator of type I interferon (IFN)-dependent immune responses and plays a critical role in the innate immune response against DNA and RNA viruses. Regulates the transcription of type I IFN genes (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) by binding to an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in their promoters. Can efficiently activate both the IFN-beta (IFNB) and the IFN-alpha (IFNA) genes and mediate their induction via both the virus-activated, MyD88-independent pathway and the TLR-activated, MyD88-dependent pathway. Induces transcription of ubiquitin hydrolase USP25 mRNA in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or viral infection in a type I IFN-dependent manner. Required during both the early and late phases of the IFN gene induction but is more critical for the late than for the early phase. Exists in an inactive form in the cytoplasm of uninfected cells and following viral infection, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), or toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, becomes phosphorylated by IKBKE and TBK1 kinases. This induces a conformational change, leading to its dimerization and nuclear localization where along with other coactivators it can activate transcription of the type I IFN and ISG genes. Can also play a role in regulating adaptive immune responses by inducing PSMB9/LMP2 expression, either directly or through induction of IRF1. Binds to the Q promoter (Qp) of EBV nuclear antigen 1 a (EBNA1) and may play a role in the regulation of EBV latency. Can activate distinct gene expression programs in macrophages and regulate the anti-tumor properties of primary macrophages.

Subunit / interactions. Monomer. Homodimer; phosphorylation-induced. Heterodimer with IRF3. Interacts with TICAM1 and TICAM2. Interacts with MYD88 and TRAF6. Interacts with TRIM35. Interacts with NMI; the interaction is direct and leads to the inhibition of IRF7-mediated type I IFN production. Interacts with GBP4; preventing interaction between TRAF6 and IRF7, resulting in impaired TRAF6-mediated IRF7 ubiquitination. (Microbial infection) Interacts with Epstein-Barr virus LF2 and LMP1. (Microbial infection) Interacts with rotavirus A NSP1; this interaction leads to the proteasome-dependent degradation of IRF7. (Microbial infection) Interacts with human herpes virus 8/HHV-8 proteins ORF45 and vIRF-1. (Microbial infection) Interacts with human T-cell leukemia virus 1/HTLV-1 protein HBZ. (Microbial infection) Interacts with Seneca Valley virus protease 3C; this interaction is involved in the suppression of IRF7 expression and phosphorylation by the virus. (Microbial infection) Interacts with ebolavirus VP35; this interaction mediates the sumoylation of IRF7 and contributes to the viral inhibition of IFN-type I production. (Microbial infection) Interacts with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) NSs; this interaction sequesters IRF7 in NSs-induced cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. (Microbial infection) Interacts with herpes virus 8/HHV-8 protein vIRF-4; this interaction prevents IRF7 dimerization and subsequent activation. (Microbial infection) Interacts with human metapneumovirus protein M2-2; this interaction prevents IRF7 phosphorylation and subsequent TLR7/9-dependent IFN-alpha induction.

Subcellular location. Nucleus. Cytoplasm.

Tissue specificity. Expressed predominantly in spleen, thymus and peripheral blood leukocytes.

Post-translational modifications. Acetylation inhibits its DNA-binding ability and activity. In response to a viral infection, phosphorylated on Ser-477 and Ser-479 by TBK1 and IKBKE1. Phosphorylation, and subsequent activation is inhibited by vaccinia virus protein E3. In TLR7- and TLR9-mediated signaling pathway, phosphorylated by IRAK1. TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination is required for IRF7 activation. TRIM35 mediates IRF7 ‘Lys-48’-linked polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Ubiquitinated by UBE3C, leading to its degradation. Sumoylated by TRIM28, which inhibits its transactivation activity. (Microbial infection) Cleaved and inactivated by the protease 3C of enterovirus 71 allowing the virus to disrupt the host type I interferon production. (Microbial infection) Cleaved and inactivated by the protease 3C of human enterovirus 68D (EV68) allowing the virus to disrupt the host type I interferon production. ‘Lys-48’-linked polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation is NMI-dependent in response to Sendai virus infection. ‘Lys-63’-linked ubiquitination by NEURL3 promotes IRF7 activation.

Disease relevance. Immunodeficiency 39, susceptibility to viral infections (IMD39) [MIM:616345] An autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency causing severe, life-threatening acute respiratory distress upon infection with certain viruses, mainly H1N1 influenza A, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Activity regulation. In the absence of viral infection, maintained as a monomer in an autoinhibited state and phosphorylation disrupts this autoinhibition leading to the liberation of the DNA-binding and dimerization activities and its nuclear localization where it can activate type I IFN and ISG genes.

Induction. By type I interferon (IFN) and viruses.

Miscellaneous. May be produced at very low levels due to a premature stop codon in the mRNA, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.

Similarity. Belongs to the IRF family.

Isoforms (4)

UniProt IDNamesCanonical?
Q92985-1Ayes
Q92985-2B, Beta
Q92985-3C, Gamma
Q92985-4D, H

RefSeq proteins (3): NP_001563, NP_004020, NP_004022 (=MANE)

Domains & families (InterPro)

IDNameType
IPR001346Interferon_reg_fact_DNA-bd_domDomain
IPR008984SMAD_FHA_dom_sfHomologous_superfamily
IPR017855SMAD-like_dom_sfHomologous_superfamily
IPR019471Interferon_reg_factor-3Domain
IPR019817Interferon_reg_fac_CSConserved_site
IPR036388WH-like_DNA-bd_sfHomologous_superfamily
IPR036390WH_DNA-bd_sfHomologous_superfamily

Pfam: PF00605, PF10401

UniProt features (61 total): sequence variant 15, mutagenesis site 13, modified residue 9, region of interest 4, splice variant 4, helix 4, strand 4, cross-link 3, site 2, chain 1, DNA-binding region 1, compositionally biased region 1

Structure

Experimental structures (PDB)

1 structures.

PDBMethodResolution (Å)
2O61X-RAY DIFFRACTION2.8

Predicted structure (AlphaFold)

ModelpLDDTFraction very-high
AF-Q92985-F170.100.32

Functional residue map

Curated UniProt residues grouped by drug-discovery relevance — catalytic, ligand-binding, modification, and mutation-validated positions. Source: UniProtKB sequence features.

Catalytic / active sites (2): 167–168 ((microbial infection) cleavage; by viral ev68 protease 3c); 189–190 ((microbial infection) cleavage; by viral ev 71 protease 3c and ev68 protease 3c)

Post-translational modifications (12): 471, 472, 475, 477, 479, 483, 484, 487, 375, 444, 446, 92

Mutagenesis-validated functional residues (13):

PositionPhenotype
90loss of acetylation, increased dna-binding and activity; when associated with r-93.
92loss of acetylation, dna-binding and activity.
93loss of acetylation, increased dna-binding and activity; when associated with t-90.
151no effect on cleavage by enterovirus 71.
167complete loss of inactivation of ifn-i production; when associated with r-189.
167no effect on cleavage by enterovirus 71.
185no effect on cleavage by enterovirus 71.
188no effect on cleavage by enterovirus 71.
189complete loss of cleavage by enterovirus 71.
189complete loss of inactivation of ifn-i production; when associated with a-167.
215no effect on cleavage by enterovirus 71.
375loss of neurl3-mediated ubiquitination.
477–479complete loss of tbk1 and ikke phosphorylation.

Function

Pathways and Gene Ontology

Reactome pathways

29 pathways

IDPathway
R-HSA-3134963DEx/H-box helicases activate type I IFN and inflammatory cytokines production
R-HSA-877300Interferon gamma signaling
R-HSA-9013973TICAM1-dependent activation of IRF3/IRF7
R-HSA-909733Interferon alpha/beta signaling
R-HSA-918233TRAF3-dependent IRF activation pathway
R-HSA-933541TRAF6 mediated IRF7 activation
R-HSA-936964Activation of IRF3, IRF7 mediated by TBK1, IKKε (IKBKE)
R-HSA-9705671SARS-CoV-2 activates/modulates innate and adaptive immune responses
R-HSA-975110TRAF6 mediated IRF7 activation in TLR7/8 or 9 signaling
R-HSA-1280215Cytokine Signaling in Immune system
R-HSA-1643685Disease
R-HSA-166016Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Cascade
R-HSA-166166MyD88-independent TLR4 cascade
R-HSA-168138Toll Like Receptor 9 (TLR9) Cascade
R-HSA-168164Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) Cascade
R-HSA-168181Toll Like Receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) Cascade
R-HSA-168249Innate Immune System
R-HSA-168256Immune System
R-HSA-168898Toll-like Receptor Cascades
R-HSA-168928DDX58/IFIH1-mediated induction of interferon-alpha/beta
R-HSA-1834949Cytosolic sensors of pathogen-associated DNA
R-HSA-5663205Infectious disease
R-HSA-913531Interferon Signaling
R-HSA-937061TRIF (TICAM1)-mediated TLR4 signaling
R-HSA-9679506SARS-CoV Infections
R-HSA-9694516SARS-CoV-2 Infection
R-HSA-9705683SARS-CoV-2-host interactions
R-HSA-975155MyD88 dependent cascade initiated on endosome
R-HSA-9824446Viral Infection Pathways

MSigDB gene sets: 573 (showing top): GOBP_MYELOID_CELL_DIFFERENTIATION, REACTOME_DDX58_IFIH1_MEDIATED_INDUCTION_OF_INTERFERON_ALPHA_BETA, KOBAYASHI_EGFR_SIGNALING_24HR_UP, REACTOME_INNATE_IMMUNE_SYSTEM, GOBP_POSITIVE_REGULATION_OF_TYPE_I_INTERFERON_PRODUCTION, REACTOME_CYTOKINE_SIGNALING_IN_IMMUNE_SYSTEM, GOBP_RESPONSE_TO_PEPTIDE, GOBP_REGULATION_OF_LEUKOCYTE_APOPTOTIC_PROCESS, GOBP_REGULATION_OF_ADAPTIVE_IMMUNE_RESPONSE, GOZGIT_ESR1_TARGETS_DN, GRAESSMANN_APOPTOSIS_BY_SERUM_DEPRIVATION_UP, GRAESSMANN_RESPONSE_TO_MC_AND_SERUM_DEPRIVATION_UP, GRAESSMANN_APOPTOSIS_BY_DOXORUBICIN_UP, GOBP_RESPONSE_TO_TYPE_I_INTERFERON, GOBP_POSITIVE_REGULATION_OF_CYTOKINE_PRODUCTION

GO Biological Process (29): negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (GO:0000122), immune system process (GO:0002376), cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor signaling pathway (GO:0002753), regulation of adaptive immune response (GO:0002819), regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (GO:0006357), DNA damage response (GO:0006974), response to virus (GO:0009615), immunoglobulin mediated immune response (GO:0016064), establishment of viral latency (GO:0019043), regulation of type I interferon production (GO:0032479), positive regulation of type I interferon production (GO:0032481), positive regulation of interferon-alpha production (GO:0032727), positive regulation of interferon-beta production (GO:0032728), regulation of MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway (GO:0034124), regulation of MyD88-independent toll-like receptor signaling pathway (GO:0034127), MDA-5 signaling pathway (GO:0039530), innate immune response (GO:0045087), regulation of monocyte differentiation (GO:0045655), positive regulation of DNA-templated transcription (GO:0045893), positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (GO:0045944), regulation of immune response (GO:0050776), defense response to virus (GO:0051607), type I interferon-mediated signaling pathway (GO:0060337), positive regulation of type I interferon-mediated signaling pathway (GO:0060340), negative regulation of macrophage apoptotic process (GO:2000110), regulation of DNA-templated transcription (GO:0006355), signal transduction (GO:0007165), regulation of gene expression (GO:0010468), positive regulation of innate immune response (GO:0045089)

GO Molecular Function (8): RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding (GO:0000978), DNA-binding transcription factor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific (GO:0000981), DNA binding (GO:0003677), sequence-specific double-stranded DNA binding (GO:1990837), transcription cis-regulatory region binding (GO:0000976), cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding (GO:0000987), DNA-binding transcription factor activity (GO:0003700), protein binding (GO:0005515)

GO Cellular Component (6): chromatin (GO:0000785), nucleus (GO:0005634), nucleoplasm (GO:0005654), cytoplasm (GO:0005737), cytosol (GO:0005829), endosome membrane (GO:0010008)

Reactome top-level categories

Rollup of top-11 pathways:

CategoryPathways
Toll-like Receptor Cascades4
Interferon Signaling2
DDX58/IFIH1-mediated induction of interferon-alpha/beta2
Immune System2
Innate Immune System2
Cytosolic sensors of pathogen-associated DNA1
Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) Cascade1
TRIF (TICAM1)-mediated TLR4 signaling1
SARS-CoV-2-host interactions1
MyD88 dependent cascade initiated on endosome1
Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Cascade1

GO top-level categories

Rollup of top GO terms by namespace:

CategoryTerms
cellular anatomical structure4
regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II3
transcription by RNA polymerase II3
regulation of DNA-templated transcription3
positive regulation of cytokine production2
type I interferon production2
positive regulation of type I interferon production2
regulation of toll-like receptor signaling pathway2
RNA polymerase II transcription regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding2
transcription cis-regulatory region binding2
negative regulation of DNA-templated transcription1
biological_process1
pattern recognition receptor signaling pathway1
intracellular receptor signaling pathway1
adaptive immune response1
regulation of immune response1
cellular response to stress1
response to other organism1
B cell mediated immunity1
viral process1
viral latency1
regulation of cytokine production1
regulation of type I interferon production1
interferon-alpha production1
regulation of interferon-alpha production1
interferon-beta production1
regulation of interferon-beta production1
MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway1
MyD88-independent toll-like receptor signaling pathway1
cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor signaling pathway1
immune response1
defense response to symbiont1
regulation of myeloid leukocyte differentiation1
monocyte differentiation1
DNA-templated transcription1
positive regulation of RNA biosynthetic process1
positive regulation of DNA-templated transcription1
cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding1
chromatin1
DNA-binding transcription factor activity1

Protein interactions and networks

STRING

3134 interactions, top by confidence (×1000):

Protein AProtein BPartner UniProtScore
IRF7MYD88P78397998
IRF7TRAF6Q9Y4K3992
IRF7JUNP05412989
IRF7IRF3Q14653988
IRF7TRAF3Q13114987
IRF7IRAK1P51617979
IRF7IRAK4Q9NWZ3964
IRF7RIGIO95786949
IRF7TLR9Q9NR96939
IRF7IFNB1P01574935
IRF7STAT2P52630922
IRF7TLR7Q9NYK1920
IRF7CHUKO15111916
IRF7IFNA13P01562911
IRF7TLR3O15455897

IntAct

44 interactions, top by confidence:

ABTypeScore
PIK3CAPIK3R2psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.900
IRF7TRMT61Bpsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.620
BICP0IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.560
BICP0IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0403”(colocalization)0.560
TBK1IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.510
IRF7TBK1psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.510
IRF7ORF45psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.510
ORF45IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.510
IRF7AIPpsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.500
IRF7AIPpsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
LTN1IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
ARAFIRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
IRAK1IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
TLK2IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
IRF7CCDC47psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
PALD1IRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.500
CHUKIRF7psi-mi:“MI:0217”(phosphorylation reaction)0.440
CHUKP/Vpsi-mi:“MI:0217”(phosphorylation reaction)0.440
CHUKPpsi-mi:“MI:0217”(phosphorylation reaction)0.440
IRF7Dlg4psi-mi:“MI:0407”(direct interaction)0.440
IRF7MAFBpsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
IRF7TRAF6psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
IRF7P/Vpsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
P/VIRF7psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400

BioGRID (154): IRF7 (Two-hybrid), IRF7 (Affinity Capture-Western), TRAF6 (Affinity Capture-Western), IRF7 (Affinity Capture-Western), IRF7 (Affinity Capture-Western), IRF7 (Affinity Capture-Western), SOCS1 (Affinity Capture-Western), SOCS3 (Affinity Capture-Western), SOCS1 (Co-localization), SOCS3 (Co-localization), IRF7 (Biochemical Activity), IRF7 (Biochemical Activity), OTUD1 (Affinity Capture-Western), CAD (Affinity Capture-MS), CCT2 (Affinity Capture-MS)

ESM2 similar proteins: A1YF56, A2AEV7, A6NCS4, A7Y7W2, D3ZJK7, E1BEA8, F1MUS9, O15534, O35973, O43435, O43638, O60248, O75333, O77728, O94983, O95935, O95947, P22736, P46099, P51666, P56261, P57082, P70325, P70327, Q03484, Q0V8F0, Q15744, Q497V6, Q5DTT2, Q61660, Q61663, Q63HR2, Q64731, Q66JL1, Q6PZD9, Q6ZQN5, Q80Y50, Q810F8, Q861Q9, Q8AV66

Diamond homologs: A0FIN4, O14896, P10914, P14316, P15314, P23570, P23611, P23906, P56477, P97431, Q00978, Q02556, Q08DD6, Q13568, Q15306, Q3SZP0, Q58DJ0, Q61179, Q64287, Q8R4E0, Q90871, Q90876, Q92985, Q98925, P70434, P70671, Q764M6, Q90643, Q14653, Q4JF28, F5HF68

SIGNOR signaling

17 interactions.

AEffectBMechanism
CHUKup-regulatesIRF7phosphorylation
IRF7“up-regulates quantity by expression”IFNA1“transcriptional regulation”
STAT1“up-regulates quantity by expression”IRF7“transcriptional regulation”
TRIM59“down-regulates activity”IRF7
“Host translation inhibitor nsp1”“down-regulates activity”IRF7
IRF7“up-regulates quantity by expression”Interferon-type-I“transcriptional regulation”
LF2“down-regulates activity”IRF7binding
BZLF1“down-regulates activity”IRF7binding
BRLF1“down-regulates quantity by repression”IRF7“transcriptional regulation”
UBE2I“down-regulates activity”IRF7sumoylation
LMP1“down-regulates activity”IRF7sumoylation
TBK1“up-regulates activity”IRF7phosphorylation
IRAK1“up-regulates activity”IRF7phosphorylation
TRIM21“down-regulates quantity by destabilization”IRF7ubiquitination
TRAF6“up-regulates activity”IRF7ubiquitination
IKBKEup-regulatesIRF7phosphorylation

Enriched among interaction partners

Reactome pathways and GO biological processes over-represented among this gene’s 31 IntAct physical interaction partners (hypergeometric vs the genome-wide background, BH-FDR, gene-set size 15–500, ranked by fold). A functional readout of the neighbourhood — distinct from this gene’s own memberships above, and biased toward well-studied / hub proteins, so read it as themes rather than proof.

Reactome pathways:

PathwayPartnersFoldFDR
SARS-CoV-2 activates/modulates innate and adaptive immune responses625.5×3e-05
PI5P, PP2A and IER3 Regulate PI3K/AKT Signaling523.0×1e-04
PIP3 activates AKT signaling515.9×4e-04

GO biological processes:

GO termPartnersFoldFDR
toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway5109.7×3e-07
positive regulation of type I interferon production587.8×4e-07
positive regulation of canonical NF-kappaB signal transduction721.2×3e-06
DNA damage response511.2×2e-03

Disease & clinical

Clinical variants and AI predictions

ClinVar

786 variants total. Per-class counts are floors (≥ shown; pagination cap):

ClassificationCount (floor)
Pathogenic0
Likely pathogenic0
Uncertain significance459
Likely benign273
Benign27

Top pathogenic / likely-pathogenic (0)

SpliceAI

1187 predictions. Top by Δscore:

VariantEffectΔscore
11:612994:CTCA:Cdonor_loss1.0000
11:612995:TCA:Tdonor_loss1.0000
11:612996:CAC:Cdonor_loss1.0000
11:612998:CCTTC:Cdonor_loss1.0000
11:613113:CAGCT:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
11:613116:CT:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
11:613118:C:Aacceptor_loss1.0000
11:613118:C:CCacceptor_gain1.0000
11:613202:TGAC:Tdonor_loss1.0000
11:613203:GAC:Gdonor_loss1.0000
11:613594:CT:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
11:613596:C:CCacceptor_gain1.0000
11:614794:CACC:Cdonor_loss1.0000
11:614795:A:Tdonor_loss1.0000
11:612796:TCCAG:Tacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612797:CCAG:Cacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612797:CCAGC:Cacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612798:CAG:Cacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612798:CAGC:Cacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612799:AGCT:Aacceptor_loss0.9900
11:612800:GCT:Gacceptor_loss0.9900
11:612801:C:CCacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612805:C:CTacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612805:C:Tacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612806:A:Tacceptor_gain0.9900
11:612997:A:ACdonor_gain0.9900
11:612998:C:CCdonor_gain0.9900
11:613114:AGCT:Aacceptor_gain0.9900
11:613117:TC:Tacceptor_loss0.9900
11:613200:A:ACdonor_gain0.9900

AlphaMissense

3210 scored. Top likely-pathogenic:

VariantProtein changeam_pathogenicity
11:614907:A:GF95S0.999
11:614915:T:AK92N0.998
11:614915:T:GK92N0.998
11:614916:T:AK92I0.998
11:615161:A:GF40S0.998
11:614876:G:CF105L0.997
11:614876:G:TF105L0.997
11:614877:A:GF105S0.997
11:614878:A:GF105L0.997
11:615100:G:CF60L0.997
11:615100:G:TF60L0.997
11:615102:A:GF60L0.997
11:615150:A:GW44R0.997
11:615150:A:TW44R0.997
11:613054:A:GF434S0.996
11:614831:C:AK120N0.996
11:614831:C:GK120N0.996
11:615002:C:AW63C0.996
11:615002:C:GW63C0.996
11:615148:C:AW44C0.996
11:615148:C:GW44C0.996
11:615160:G:CF40L0.996
11:615160:G:TF40L0.996
11:615162:A:GF40L0.996
11:614916:T:GK92T0.995
11:614918:C:AW91C0.995
11:614918:C:GW91C0.995
11:615004:A:GW63R0.995
11:615004:A:TW63R0.995
11:615101:A:GF60S0.995

dbSNP variants (sampled 300 via entrez): RS1000036067 (11:612527 A>G), RS1000394613 (11:612502 C>G), RS1001441736 (11:613516 G>A,C), RS1001455400 (11:615902 G>A,T), RS1001651375 (11:615469 C>T), RS1001809339 (11:614473 T>G), RS1001888306 (11:616060 G>C), RS1002491176 (11:616980 T>A), RS1002868924 (11:616735 T>C), RS1002882535 (11:613390 C>CCGCAGCAGTTCCTCCGTGTAG), RS1003671200 (11:612468 A>C,G), RS1004888989 (11:615721 C>T), RS1005264708 (11:615519 C>A,G,T), RS1005405358 (11:615840 C>G,T), RS1006081214 (11:614106 C>T)

Disease associations

OMIM: gene MIM:605047 | disease phenotypes: MIM:616345

GenCC curated gene-disease

DiseaseClassificationInheritance
immunodeficiency 39StrongAutosomal recessive

Mondo (2): immunodeficiency 39 (MONDO:0014597), autism spectrum disorder (MONDO:0005258)

Orphanet (2): Predisposition to severe viral infection due to IRF7 deficiency (Orphanet:574918), NON RARE IN EUROPE: Autism (Orphanet:106)

HPO phenotypes

4 total (4 of 4 shown, HPO-id order):

HPOTerm
HP:0000007Autosomal recessive inheritance
HP:0002721Immunodeficiency
HP:0011463Childhood onset
HP:0034249Severe influenza infection

GWAS associations

7 associations (top):

StudyTraitp-value
GCST002069_16Systemic lupus erythematosus and Systemic sclerosis8.000000e-06
GCST003155_11Systemic lupus erythematosus9.000000e-10
GCST003156_6Systemic lupus erythematosus5.000000e-13
GCST003622_51Systemic lupus erythematosus9.000000e-11
GCST005752_136Systemic lupus erythematosus9.000000e-21
GCST007400_31Systemic lupus erythematosus1.000000e-16
GCST009131_16Systemic sclerosis2.000000e-08

Drugs & pharmacology

Drug and pharmacology data

Is drug target: no

PharmGKB: 1 entry (VIP=true, CPIC=false)

CTD chemical–gene interactions

87 total (human), top 30 by PubMed support.

ChemicalActions (top 5)PubMed papers
Valproic Acidaffects cotreatment, increases expression, decreases expression, affects expression, increases methylation6
(+)-JQ1 compoundincreases expression4
sodium arseniteaffects cotreatment, increases expression3
Tretinoinaffects expression, increases expression3
tofacitinibdecreases expression2
Decitabineincreases expression, increases reaction2
Acetaminophenincreases expression2
Vehicle Emissionsincreases abundance, affects cotreatment, increases expression, decreases expression2
Benzo(a)pyreneincreases expression, increases methylation2
Estradiolaffects cotreatment, decreases expression, increases expression2
Poly I-Caffects reaction, increases expression, decreases reaction, increases secretion2
Tetrachlorodibenzodioxinaffects cotreatment, decreases expression, increases expression2
PAM2-CSK4increases expression1
2,4-dichlorophenolincreases methylation1
alpha phellandreneincreases expression1
triphenyl phosphateaffects expression1
geraniolincreases expression1
hydroxyhydroquinonedecreases expression1
beta-lapachoneincreases expression1
sulforaphanedecreases expression1
tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphateincreases expression1
nickel chloridedecreases expression1
S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)cysteineaffects response to substance, increases expression1
tamibaroteneincreases expression1
chromium hexavalent iondecreases reaction, increases expression, increases reaction, affects reaction1
perfluoro-n-nonanoic acidincreases expression1
JHW 015decreases reaction, increases phosphorylation1
monomethylarsonous aciddecreases expression1
pinostrobinincreases expression1
AG 1879decreases reaction, increases expression1

Cellosaurus cell lines

10 cell lines: 7 cancer cell line, 3 embryonic stem cell

First 10 cell lines (id-ordered, not curated):

CellosaurusNameCategorySex
CVCL_A3G8SEES3-1V human IRF7, clone1Embryonic stem cellMale
CVCL_A3G9SEES3-1V human IRF7, clone2Embryonic stem cellMale
CVCL_A3H0SEES3-1V human IRF7, clone3Embryonic stem cellMale
CVCL_B1G3Abcam A-549 IRF7 KO 2Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_B1UQAbcam HeLa IRF7 KOCancer cell lineFemale
CVCL_B2NLAbcam A-549 IRF7 KO 1Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_E8F7THP1-Dual KO-IRF7Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_ST00HAP1 IRF7 (-) 1Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_ST01HAP1 IRF7 (-) 2Cancer cell lineMale
CVCL_ST02HAP1 IRF7 (-) 3Cancer cell lineMale

Clinical trials (associated diseases)

300 trials via MONDO — disease-level, not drug-specific.

TrialPhaseStatusTitle
NCT00391261PHASE4COMPLETEDAn Open-label Trial of Metformin for Weight Control of Pediatric Patients on Antipsychotic Medications.
NCT01028820PHASE4COMPLETEDFMRI Brain Activation of Aripiprazole Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT01333865PHASE4COMPLETEDA Study of Memantine Hydrochloride (Namenda®) for Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT01337700PHASE4COMPLETEDMilnacipran in Autism and the Functional Locus Coeruleus and Noradrenergic Model of Autism
NCT01695200PHASE4COMPLETEDOmega-3 Fatty Acids in Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT02096952PHASE4COMPLETEDMethylphenidate ER Liquid Formulation in Adults With ASD and ADHD
NCT02235467PHASE4COMPLETEDMultisite Study: Parental Training Using Video Modelling to Develop Social Skills in Children With Autism
NCT02940574PHASE4COMPLETEDNeural and Behavioral Effects of Oxytocin in Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT03333629PHASE4COMPLETEDPromoting Positive Outcomes for Individuals With ASD: Linking Early Detection, Treatment, and Long-term Outcomes
NCT03337646PHASE4COMPLETEDEvaluation of the Effect and Safety of Lisdexamfetamine in Children Aged 6-12 With ADHD and Autism
NCT03538431PHASE4COMPLETEDImproving Driving in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT03757585PHASE4COMPLETEDNatural Treatments for the Management of Emotional Dysregulation in Youth With Non-verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
NCT04903353PHASE4COMPLETEDPragmatic Trial Comparing Weight Gain in Children With Autism Taking Risperidone Versus Aripiprazole
NCT05063656PHASE4COMPLETEDBiomarker-Driven Pharmacological Treatment of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder With Gabapentin
NCT05146245PHASE4UNKNOWNSafety and Pharmacokinetics of Antipsychotics in Children 2: Studying TDM in an RCT
NCT05916339PHASE4RECRUITINGAWARE: Management of ADHD in Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT05954052PHASE4TERMINATEDA Study of Glutathione in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT06853665PHASE4RECRUITINGThe TEAM Study - Treatment Efficacy for Autism/Attention Using Mixed Amphetamine
NCT07054697PHASE4COMPLETEDPilot-RCT With Individualized Homeopathic Treatment in the Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT07161804PHASE4COMPLETEDPilot RCT Using Homeopathic Medicines in ASD
NCT07439042PHASE4NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBuspirone for Anxiety in Autistic Youth
NCT01302964PHASE3COMPLETEDMirtazapine Treatment of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents With Pervasive Developmental Disorders
NCT01706523PHASE3TERMINATEDOpen Label Extension Study of STX209 (Arbaclofen) in Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT01825798PHASE3COMPLETEDTreatment of Overweight Induced by Antipsychotic Medication in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
NCT01972074PHASE3COMPLETEDBehavioral and Neural Response to Memantine in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT02985749PHASE3COMPLETEDA Study of Oxytocin for the Treatment of Social Impairment in Individuals With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT03197922PHASE3COMPLETEDTreatment of Encopresis in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT03504917PHASE3TERMINATEDA Study of Balovaptan in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder With a 2-Year Open-Label Extension
NCT03553875PHASE3TERMINATEDMemantine for the Treatment of Social Deficits in Youth With Disorders of Impaired Social Interactions
NCT03640156PHASE3COMPLETEDModulating Socially Adaptive Mirror System Functioning in Autism by Oxytocin
NCT03715153PHASE3TERMINATEDEfficacy and Safety of Bumetanide Oral Liquid Formulation in Children Aged From 2 to Less Than 7 Years Old With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
NCT03715166PHASE3TERMINATEDEfficacy and Safety of Bumetanide Oral Liquid Formulation in Children and Adolescents Aged From 7 to Less Than 18 Years Old With Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT04233502PHASE3WITHDRAWNEfficacy and Safety of Slenyto for Insomnia in Children With ASD
NCT04578756PHASE3COMPLETEDOpen-Label, Flexible-dose Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Cariprazine in the Treatment of Pediatric Participants With Schizophrenia, Bipolar I Disorder, or Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT04623398PHASE3COMPLETEDEffect of Lithium in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (SHANK3 Haploinsufficiency)
NCT04725383PHASE3TERMINATEDAmitriptyline for Repetitive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders
NCT05212493PHASE3COMPLETEDThe Effects of Medical Cannabis in Children With Autistic Spectrum Disorder
NCT05361707PHASE3UNKNOWNEvaluating the Effects of Tasimelteon in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Sleep Disturbances
NCT05439616PHASE3COMPLETEDStudy of Cariprazine Oral Capsules or Solution to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Irritability Due to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Participants Aged 5-17 Years With ASD
NCT06229210PHASE3RECRUITINGSafety and Tolerability Trial of Lumateperone in Pediatric Patients With Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Associated diseases: immunodeficiency 39
  • Disease cohort memberships (association, not causation — diseases whose associated-gene cohort lists this gene; a subset are also under Associated diseases): immunodeficiency 39