immunity related GTPase M
Last updated 17 Jul 2023
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
The IRGM gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an important role in the immune system. This protein is involved in a process called autophagy, which cells use to surround and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Specifically, the IRGM protein helps trigger autophagy in cells infected with certain kinds of bacteria, including the type of bacteria that causes tuberculosis. In addition to protecting cells from infection, autophagy is used to recycle worn-out cell parts and break down certain proteins when they are no longer needed. This process also plays an important role in controlled cell death (apoptosis).
Normal function
The IRGM gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an important role in the immune system. This protein is involved in a process called autophagy, which cells use to surround and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Specifically, the IRGM protein helps trigger autophagy in cells infected with certain kinds of bacteria, including the type of bacteria that causes tuberculosis. In addition to protecting cells from infection, autophagy is used to recycle worn-out cell parts and break down certain proteins when they are no longer needed. This process also plays an important role in controlled cell death (apoptosis).
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
A1A4Y4_HUMAN
IFI1
immunity-related GTPase family, M
immunity-related GTPase family, M1
immunity-related GTPase M
IRGM1
LRG-47
LRG-47-like protein
LRG47
MGC149263
MGC149264
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Travel vaccinations
Travel vaccinations are an essential part of holiday and travel planning, particularly if your journey takes you to an exotic destination or 'off the beaten track'. This leaflet discusses the vaccinations that are available and gives some idea of the time you need to allow to complete a full protective course of vaccination. Further information.
Patient information leaflet
Rubella
Although it most commonly occurs in young children, it can affec... The illness is usually mild. However, rubella in a pregnant woman can cause serious damage to the unborn child. Immunisation with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine) has made rubella uncommon in the UK. What is rubella. Rubella is also known as German measles. It.
Patient information leaflet
The immune system
This leaflet gives a brief overview of the immune system and how it works. A person with a weak immune system might have difficulty fighting off infections. We are surrounded by millions of bacteria, viruses and other germs (microbes) that have the potential to enter our bodies and cause harm... The immune system is the body's defence against.
Patient information leaflet
Malaria
Malaria is a very serious infection which results from a bite from an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are high temperature (fever) and a flu-like illness. The symptoms of malaria can occur up to a year afte... Prompt treatment for malaria is essential as, without treatment, it can be fatal. This leaflet gives general information about.
Patient information leaflet
Postherpetic neuralgia
Postherpetic neuralgia is a pain that persists in some people who have had shingles. I... If the pain from shingles goes but then returns at a later date, this too is called PHN. Shingles is caused by the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus. After a chickenpox infection, the virus lies dormant in one or more nerves in the body. Shingles can only.
Patient information leaflet
Measles
Measles is an infection that mainly affects children but can occur at any age. It is rare in the UK, due to immunisation. The illness is unpleasant but most children fully recover. However, some children develop serious complications. What is measles. Measles is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus. The virus lives in the mucus of the.
Further reading and references
- immunity related GTPase M; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Chauhan S, Mandell MA, Deretic V. Mechanism of action of the tuberculosis and Crohn disease risk factor IRGM in autophagy. Autophagy. 2016;12(2):429-31. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2015.1084457. Epub 2015 Aug 27.
- Parkes M, Barrett JC, Prescott NJ, Tremelling M, Anderson CA, Fisher SA, Roberts RG, Nimmo ER, Cummings FR, Soars D, Drummond H, Lees CW, Khawaja SA, Bagnall R, Burke DA, Todhunter CE, Ahmad T, Onnie CM, McArdle W, Strachan D, Bethel G, Bryan C, Lewis CM, Deloukas P, Forbes A, Sanderson J, Jewell DP, Satsangi J, Mansfield JC; Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium; Cardon L, Mathew CG. Sequence variants in the autophagy gene IRGM and multiple other replicating loci contribute to Crohn's disease susceptibility. Nat Genet. 2007 Jul;39(7):830-2. doi: 10.1038/ng2061. Epub 2007 Jun 6.
- Rufini S, Ciccacci C, Di Fusco D, Ruffa A, Pallone F, Novelli G, Biancone L, Borgiani P. Autophagy and inflammatory bowel disease: Association between variants of the autophagy-related IRGM gene and susceptibility to Crohn's disease. Dig Liver Dis. 2015 Sep;47(9):744-50. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2015.05.012. Epub 2015 May 21.
- Singh SB, Davis AS, Taylor GA, Deretic V. Human IRGM induces autophagy to eliminate intracellular mycobacteria. Science. 2006 Sep 8;313(5792):1438-41. doi: 10.1126/science.1129577. Epub 2006 Aug 3.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.