MIF

Pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens (By similarity). The expression of MIF at sites of inflammation suggests a role as mediator in regulating the function of macrophages in host defense (By similarity). Counteracts the anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids (By similarity). Has phenylpyruvate tautomerase and dopachrome tautomerase activity (in vitro), but the physiological substrate is not known (PubMed:10933783, PubMed:16780921, PubMed:19188446). It is not clear whether the tautomerase activity has any physiological relevance, and whether it is important for cytokine activity (PubMed:10933783, PubMed:16780921, PubMed:19188446).

Belongs to the MIF family.

• Secreted
• Cytoplasm
• Does not have a cleavable signal sequence and is secreted via a specialized, non-classical pathway. Secreted by macrophages upon stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or by M.tuberculosis antigens (By similarity).

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF, Delayed early response protein 6, Glycosylation-inhibiting factor, L-dopachrome isomerase, L-dopachrome tautomerase, Phenylpyruvate tautomerase, DER6, GIF, Mif

• entrezGene:17319
• swissprot:P34884

Proteins

Immunology & Infectious Disease

12504Da