IFN a 2b Human, 20 kd PEG

Human recombinant Interferon-alpha 2b is produced in E. coli as a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 165 amino acids, with a molecular mass of approximately 19,269 Daltons . The pegylation process involves attaching a 20kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule to the N-terminal of IFN-α2b, which significantly extends its half-life and enhances its stability .

Interferon-alpha 2b stimulates the production of two key enzymes: protein kinase and oligoadenylate synthetase, which play crucial roles in its antiviral activities . The pegylated form, due to its extended half-life, allows for less frequent dosing while maintaining therapeutic efficacy .

Interferon-alpha 2b has been extensively used as an antiviral and antineoplastic agent . It has applications in treating chronic hepatitis C, melanoma, and certain types of leukemia . However, its use in treating hepatitis C has declined due to the availability of more effective treatments with fewer side effects .

Research continues to focus on increasing the yield and biological activity of IFN-α2b while extending its half-life . Novel long-acting recombinant human IFN-α2b proteins have been designed, showing promising results in terms of antiviral and antiproliferative activities .