Macrophage migration inhibitory factor

UniProtKB accession:  P34884

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  Pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens (By similarity). The expression of MIF at sites of inflammation suggests a role as mediator in regulating the function of macrophages in host defense (By similarity). Counteracts the anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids (By similarity). Has phenylpyruvate tautomerase and dopachrome tautomerase activity (in vitro), but the physiological substrate is not known (PubMed:19188446, PubMed:10933783, PubMed:16780921). It is not clear whether the tautomerase activity has any physiological relevance, and whether it is important for cytokine activity (PubMed:19188446, PubMed:10933783, PubMed:16780921).