Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables cytokine activity. Involved in regulation of defense response to virus by host and type I interferon-mediated signaling pathway. Acts upstream of or within defense response to other organism and lymphocyte activation involved in immune response. Located in extracellular space. Is expressed in embryo. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; common cold; hepatitis B; liver disease (multiple); and sarcoidosis. Orthologous to several human genes including IFNA4 (interferon alpha 4).