IL12A

Interleukin-12 subunit alpha is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the IL12A is_associated_with::gene.

Function
This gene encodes a subunit of the is_associated_with::cytokine is_associated_with::Interleukin 12 (IL-12) that acts on T and is_associated_with::natural killer cells, and has a broad array of biological activities. The cytokine is a disulfide-linked is_associated_with::heterodimer composed of the 35-kD subunit encoded by this gene, and a 40-kD subunit that is a member of the cytokine receptor family. This cytokine is required for the T-cell-independent induction of is_associated_with::interferon gamma (INF-γ), and is important for the differentiation of both Th1 and is_associated_with::Th2 cells. The responses of is_associated_with::lymphocytes to this cytokine are mediated by the activator of transcription protein is_associated_with::STAT4. Nitric oxide synthase 2A (is_associated_with::NOS2A/NOS2) is found to be required for the signaling process of this cytokine in is_associated_with::innate immunity.