Transcription factor that plays a critical role in innate immunity by activating expression of type I interferon (IFN) IFNA and INFB and inflammatory cytokines downstream of endolysosomal toll-like receptors TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 (PubMed:11303025, PubMed:15695821, PubMed:22412986, PubMed:25326418, PubMed:32433612). Regulates the transcription of type I IFN genes (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) by binding to an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) in their promoters (By similarity). Can efficiently activate both the IFN-beta (IFNB) and the IFN-alpha (IFNA) genes and mediate their induction downstream of the TLR-activated, MyD88-dependent pathway (By similarity). Key transcription factor regulating the IFN response during SARS-CoV-2 infection (PubMed:33440148).
