Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
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; lymphocyte activation involved in immune response; and signal transduction. 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).