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     Western blot analysis of Interferon regulatory factor 9 expression in Jurkat cell lysate.    

  
  

IRF-9 (Interferon Regulatory Factor 9) is a critical transcription factor in the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway, playing a pivotal role in innate immunity and antiviral responses. It belongs to the IRF family, which regulates IFN and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) by binding to specific DNA sequences. Structurally, IRF-9 contains a conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal interaction domain. Unlike other IRFs, IRF-9 does not directly activate transcription but forms a heterotrimeric complex with phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT2 (ISGF3) upon IFN stimulation. This complex translocates to the nucleus, binds to interferon-stimulated response elements (ISREs), and initiates the expression of ISGs to combat viral infections and modulate immune responses.

Antibodies targeting IRF-9 are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and interaction partners in both physiological and pathological contexts. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation to investigate IRF-9's role in IFN-dependent signaling. Research applications include exploring its involvement in autoimmune diseases, cancer immune evasion, and host-pathogen interactions. Commercially available IRF-9 antibodies are typically developed in hosts like rabbits or mice, often validated for specificity against conserved epitopes. Recent studies also highlight IRF-9's potential as a therapeutic biomarker, particularly in diseases with dysregulated IFN pathways, making these antibodies valuable for both basic research and drug development.