Characterization of the type I interferon locus and identification of novel genes

The human type I interferon (IFN) genes are clustered on human chromosome 9p21 and the mouse genes are located in the region of conserved synteny on mouse chromosome 4. We have identified two novel mouse Ifna genes (Ifna12, Ifna13) and Ifnl2 (IFN-like 2, a homologue of Limitin/IFN-like 1). Another type I IFN gene was designated Ifne1. Mouse Ifne1 was expressed in ovaries and uterus but not in tissues of hematopoietic origin. IFN-epsilon1 has general structural characteristics of a type I IFN. These studies represent the first detailed annotation of the mouse type I IFN locus, and the products of these novel genes may have important functions in reproduction and host defense.