Cytokines

Key Biological Properties: AIF1 is a key intracellular signaling molecule that participates in phagocytosis, membrane ruffling, and F-actin polymerization . It is a calcium-binding protein that plays a crucial role in the activation of macrophages .

Expression Patterns: AIF1 is expressed in various tissues, including monocytes, granulocytes, bone marrow cells, testicles, lungs, gallbladders, rectums, spleens, and coronary arteries . It is also found in activated macrophages, which are present in tissues with inflammation .

Tissue Distribution: AIF1 is distributed throughout all tissues of an organism, with high expression in immune-related tissues such as the spleen and bone marrow .

Primary Biological Functions: AIF1 plays a significant role in the activation of macrophages and is involved in intracellular processes such as phagocytosis, membrane ruffling, and F-actin polymerization . It also enhances growth and promotes proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells through deregulation of the cell cycle .

Role in Immune Responses: AIF1 is a crucial mediator in the inflammatory response and is linked with the activation of macrophages . It participates in pathogen recognition and immune responses by promoting macrophage activation and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and T-lymphocytes .

Pathogen Recognition: AIF1 is involved in the immune invasion of tumors and affects the expression of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is crucial for pathogen recognition .

Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: AIF1 interacts with various molecules and cells through its calcium-binding and actin-binding properties . It contains several interaction domains, including PDZ interaction domains, a QXXER motif, a tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site, and a casein kinase II phosphorylation site .

Binding Partners: AIF1 binds to actin filaments and calcium ions, which are essential for its role in intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal rearrangement .

Downstream Signaling Cascades: AIF1 is involved in several downstream signaling cascades, including the NF-κB signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation .

Regulatory Mechanisms: The expression and activity of AIF1 are regulated by cytokines and interferon . It is also subject to post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation by tyrosine kinase and casein kinase II .

Transcriptional Regulation: AIF1 expression is induced by cytokines and interferon, which promote macrophage activation and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and T-lymphocytes .

Post-Translational Modifications: AIF1 undergoes phosphorylation by tyrosine kinase and casein kinase II, which are crucial for its role in intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal rearrangement .

Biomedical Research: AIF1 is widely studied in biomedical research due to its role in immune responses and inflammation . It is a potential target for diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurological disorders .

Diagnostic Tools: AIF1 is a potential biomarker for various diseases, including breast cancer and osteosarcoma . Its expression levels can be used to diagnose and prognosticate these diseases.

Therapeutic Strategies: AIF1 is a potential target for therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating immune responses and inflammation . It is being investigated for its role in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases .

Development: AIF1 plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system by promoting macrophage activation and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and T-lymphocytes .

Aging: AIF1 expression levels are associated with metabolic indicators such as body mass index, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose levels, which are crucial for maintaining metabolic health during aging .

Disease: AIF1 is involved in the development of various diseases, including kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurological disorders . It is a potential target for therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating immune responses and inflammation in these diseases .