This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the type I interferon family of proteins, and is located in a cluster of alpha interferon genes on chromosome 9. Interferons are small regulatory molecules that function in cell signaling in response to viruses and other pathogens or tumor cells. This gene is intronless and the encoded protein is secreted. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2013] see less This gene encodes a protein that belongs to the type I interferon family of proteins, and is located in a cluster of alpha interferon genes on chromosome 9. Interferons are small regulatory molecules that function in cell signaling in response to viruses and other pathogens or tumor cells. This gene is intronless and the encoded protein is secreted. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2013]