The protein encoded by this gene is a ubiquitin-like protein that is conjugated to intracellular target proteins upon activation by interferon-alpha and interferon-beta. Several functions have been ascribed to the encoded protein, including chemotactic activity towards neutrophils, direction of ligated target proteins to intermediate filaments, cell-to-cell signaling, and antiviral activity during viral infections. While conjugates of this protein have been found to be noncovalently attached to intermediate filaments, this protein is sometimes secreted. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2012].
Knight, Fahey, Cordova, Hillman, Kutny, Reich, Blomstrom: "A 15-kDa interferon-induced protein is derived by COOH-terminal processing of a 17-kDa precursor." in: The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol. 263, Issue 10, pp. 4520-2, (1988) (PubMed).
Reich, Evans, Levy, Fahey, Knight, Darnell: "Interferon-induced transcription of a gene encoding a 15-kDa protein depends on an upstream enhancer element." in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 84, Issue 18, pp. 6394-8, (1987) (PubMed).
Blomstrom, Fahey, Kutny, Korant, Knight: "Molecular characterization of the interferon-induced 15-kDa protein. Molecular cloning and nucleotide and amino acid sequence." in: The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol. 261, Issue 19, pp. 8811-6, (1986) (PubMed).