Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 (AIF1), also known as Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), is a calcium-binding protein that plays a crucial role in the immune response. It is predominantly expressed in activated macrophages and microglia, which are key players in the body’s defense mechanism against pathogens and in the regulation of inflammation.
AIF1 is a 17-kDa protein that contains a pair of EF-hand calcium-binding motifs . These motifs are essential for its ability to bind calcium ions, which is critical for its function in various cellular processes. The protein is involved in intracellular signaling pathways that regulate phagocytosis, membrane ruffling, and F-actin polymerization . These processes are vital for the immune cells to engulf and destroy pathogens, as well as to migrate to sites of infection or injury.
AIF1 has been implicated in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Its expression is upregulated in tissues undergoing inflammation, and it is associated with the activation of macrophages . This protein has been linked to several diseases, including:
Recombinant AIF1 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the gene encoding AIF1 into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast. This allows for the large-scale production of the protein for research and therapeutic purposes. Recombinant AIF1 is used in various studies to understand its role in inflammation and to develop potential therapeutic interventions for inflammatory diseases.