IFITM3

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title: "IFITM3" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["genes-mutated-in-mice"] description: "Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens" topic_path: "general/genes-mutated-in-mice" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFITM3" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens ::

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IFITM3 gene. It plays a critical role in the immune system's defense against Swine Flu, where heightened levels of IFITM3 keep viral levels low, and the removal of IFITM3 allows the virus to multiply unchecked. This observation has been further advanced by a recent study from Paul Kellam's lab that shows that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the human IFITM3 gene purported to increase influenza susceptibility is overrepresented in people hospitalised with pandemic H1N1. The prevalence of this mutation is thought to be approximately 1/400 in European populations.

References

References

1. (Aug 1991). "Molecular analysis of a human interferon-inducible gene family". Eur J Biochem.
2. (Dec 2005). "IFITM/Mil/fragilis family proteins IFITM1 and IFITM3 play distinct roles in mouse primordial germ cell homing and repulsion". Dev Cell.
3. "Entrez Gene: IFITM3 interferon induced transmembrane protein 3 (1-8U)".
4. "Natural swine flu defence found".
5. Everitt A.R.. (March 2012). "IFITM3 restricts the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza.". Nature.
6. (25 March 2012). "Gene flaw linked to serious flu risk". BBC News.

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