Interleukin 26

Interleukin-26 (IL-26) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the IL26 is_associated_with::gene.

IL-26 is a 171-amino acid protein, which is similar in amino acid sequence to is_associated_with::interleukin 10. It was originally called AK155 and is composed of a signal sequence, 6 is_associated_with::helices, and 4 conserved is_associated_with::cysteine residues. IL-26 is expressed in certain is_associated_with::herpesvirus-transformed is_associated_with::T cells but not in primary stimulated T cells. IL-26 signals through a receptor complex comprising two distinct proteins called IL-20 receptor 1 and IL-10 receptor 2. By signaling through this receptor complex, IL-26 induces rapid phosphorylation of the transcription factors is_associated_with::STAT1 and is_associated_with::STAT3, which enhance IL-10 and IL-8 secretion and as expression of the CD54 molecule on the surface of epithelial cells.