Question

What is interferon? Write their functions.

Answer 1

Interferon is a protein produced in animal cells as defense product against viral infection. Interferons are secreted in response to virus. These are the glycoproteins which which make the cells resistant to viral infection. Interferons are made and released by lymphocytes and they belong to the large class of glycoproteins known as cytokines.

Functions of Interferons:

They are naturally produced from virus infected cells. The proteins interact with adjacent cells and make them resistant to virus attack. Two mechanisms have been suggested for their action-

1. Interferons affect the cellular membranes so that the virus particles are not disseminated to the other cells.

2. Interferons control the multiplication of virus particles by inhibiting their protein synthesis.